Abstract:
As one of the most important dependent variables in education and work research,
performance has been operationalised either as the proficiency with which core tasks are
performed (task performance), or as extra-role behaviours that support core activities
(organisational citizenship behaviours). Relative to academic performance (core academic
achievement), there has been little research on the extent to which students practise
organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in their academic work. The aim of the present
study was to explore some correlates of both OCB and academic performance. Data used
in the study were obtained from 185 students enrolled in a business course at the National
University of Lesotho. Survey questionnaires inquiring about students’ commitment, selfesteem,
and OCB were administered to 204 third-year students. These were correlated
with formal academic performance before and after the survey. Students’ commitment was
significantly related to both OCB and academic performance. Self-esteem was significantly
correlated with OCB, but not academic performance. Two dimensions of OCB (altruism
and civic virtue) were moderately but significantly related to academic performance.
Results suggest that improving self-esteem might affect OCB, and improving commitment
and certain elements of OCB might improve academic achievement.
