Exploring relationships among leadership behaviors, organizational citizenship behaviors, organizational justice and person–organization fit in Vietnamese academic libraries

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between leadership behavior, organizational justice, person–organization fit and organizational citizenship behavior in the context of Vietnamese academic libraries. Using social exchange theory, this research indicates the impact of leadership behavior on organizational citizenship behavior. This study also examines the mediating role of organizational justice and person–organization fit in the relationship between leadership behavior and organizational citizenship behavior. Design/methodology/approach A total of 248 responses are obtained from academic library personnel in Vietnam, which are used to examine the research hypotheses. Findings The findings partially support the hypotheses because two leadership dimensions significantly influence organizational citizenship behavior, and organizational justice mediates the relationship between relationship-oriented leadership and organizational citizenship behavior. However, person–organization fit does not mediate the relationship between leadership behavior and organizational citizenship behavior. Practical implications Results indicate that two types of leadership behavior can significantly impact the organizational citizenship behavior of the librarians. Academic libraries should provide opportunities to librarians to engage in citizenship behavior by implementing organizational justice intervention. Originality/value This research contributes to the social exchange theory by integrating leadership behaviors, organizational justice, person–organization fit and organizational citizenship behaviors. Given that no prior studies have investigated the associations among four constructs, the obtained findings are a new exploration.