NETWORK CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR: Toward a Behavioral Perspective on Multiorganizational Networks

Managing and working across organizations in a multiorganizational network context has become common practice. Present analyses of such settings are characterized by a structural approach and a focus on egocentric network relationships. In this conceptual chapter, we propose a process approach that pays balanced attention to network action by extending the concept of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) to the level of whole multiorganizational networks. Specifically, we explain how network citizenship behavior is enabled by both organizational and network factors. Building on past theories of macro-level network structure and micro-level OCB, we propose a behavioral theory that accounts for the duality of network structure and action. In addition, we articulate the potential implications this construct has for researchers working in both the organizational behavior and networks domains.