Mindfulness and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors : Recognizing When to Help Others in the Workplace

Abstract

Until recently, the construct of mindfulness has been studied primarily within religious and philosophical disciplines. Little attention has been given to mindfulness as it relates to organizational settings and work related outcomes. Filling this gap within the literature, the present study provides the theoretical rationale and method for testing the relationship between mindfulness and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) as moderated by empathy. Using self-regulation theory and social exchange theory, the study makes a case for why mindfulness should be considered an antecedent of OCBs. The results of the study showed that mindfulness is positively correlated with both empathy and OCBs, and that empathy is positively correlated with OCBs. The findings did not support empathy as a moderating variable in the mindfulness-OCB relationship. Suggestions for future research and limitations are addressed.