Self-Determination Theory and Inter-Role Performance: The Moderating Effects of Perceived Autonomous Support

Abstract

The present study tests the theoretical influence of factors from self determination theory (SDT) including the three facilitators (global aspirations, global motivation and mindfulness), the three needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence and relatedness), and perceived autonomous support (PAS) towards organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB) of 386 New Zealand managers. The theory suggests that individuals with higher SDT dimensions will achieve greater wellbeing, and we extend this towards inter­role performance. Data was collected at two times, separating predictors (time 1) and outcomes (time 2). Towards OCB Individuals, significant direct effects were found from global motivations; need autonomy satisfaction and need relatedness satisfaction, and PAS. Towards OCB Organization, significant direct effects were found from global motivations, and all three need satisfaction dimensions (autonomy, competence and relatedness), and PAS. In addition to direct effects, we tested PAS as a moderator of the three facilitators and three needs satisfaction and two significant interactions were found towards both OCB Individuals and OCB Organization. The interactions towards OCB Individual showed that high PAS was most beneficial when global aspirations were low, with little difference at higher levels of global aspirations. Towards OCB Organization, high PAS was most beneficial, with consistent levels of OCB Organization at all levels of global motivations. The other interactions towards OCB Individuals and Organization were similar, with high PAS and high needs relatedness satisfaction accounting for the highest levels of OCB. Overall, there is strong and consistent support for SDT dimensions influencing the inter­role performance of New Zealand managers.