The moderating role of basic need satisfaction in the relationship between personality dimensions and citizenship behavior

This study examines the influence of core self-evaluations (CSE) and proactive personality (PP) on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) among frontline employees in the hospitality industry, specifically within the hotel sector in India. Utilizing self-determination theory (SDT) as the theoretical framework, the research investigates how basic need satisfaction (BNS)—comprising autonomy, competence, and relatedness—moderates the relationship between CSE, PP, and OCB. Findings based on data collected from 361 employees of 4-star and 5-star hotels highlight that while both CSE and PP positively predict OCB, their impact is moderated by the satisfaction of basic needs. The study shows that among employees whose basic needs have been met, those with a more PP and a higher CSE are less likely to engage in extra-role behaviors. On the other hand, among employees whose basic needs are thwarted, those with more proactive personalities or higher core-self evaluations are more likely to perform tasks beyond their job roles. We present a post-hoc analysis for this counter-intuitive result. This research provides new insight into personality–OCB dynamics and highlights a boundary condition for SDT in the post-pandemic hospitality context. The study’s contributions are especially relevant in the ongoing debate on the dark sides of OCB. Practical implications are offered for talent management and work design in hotels.