As positive nontask behavior, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is a well-known concept that has been investigated by numerous studies. However, weakness in the research stream is viewing this concept from the perspective of the actor. In this study, OCB is considered as a social activity that assists actors’ survival in their organizations, and how OCB affects ostracism that effectively reflects belonging in the organization is investigated. Moreover, to identify the relationship in detail, three different independent variables are used, including OCB, OCB aggregate gap, and OCB profile similarity, using social exchange theory and similarity attraction theory. The analysis is conducted using samples from 210 employees who work for Korean companies. The results indicate that OCB profile similarity has a stronger effect on reducing ostracism than the absolute level of OCB and the OCB aggregate gap.

PurposeMost existing studies treat the relationship between experienced incivility and behavioral responses as linear. However, the current study examines the curvilinear relationships between experienced incivility and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and instigated incivility using conservation of resources (COR) theory and by referring to related studies that have identified typical positive and negative employee nontask behaviors. Furthermore, this study identifies turnover intention as a moderator of these curvilinear relationships.Design/methodology/approachAll samples were obtained from respondents working for Korean companies listed on the Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (KOSDAQ); 228 samples were used for the analysis. A quadratic regression function was established to analyze the curved relationships according to hierarchical stages.FindingsOur analysis determined that a U-shaped curvilinear relationship exists between experienced incivility and OCB, and an inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship exists between experienced and instigated incivility. However, the moderating effect of turnover intention is significant only in the relationship between experienced and instigated incivility.Originality/valueThis study exhibits three points of originality—first, by simultaneously considering two dependent variables as responses to experienced incivility and examining their response patterns; second, by using a curvilinear relationship model to investigate the relationship between experienced incivility and its dependent variables; and finally, by finding a moderator to the curved relationship.