Interpersonal Ties and Individual Citizenship Behaviour among Academics in Universities

Interpersonal citizenship behaviour has attracted scholarly attention but how expressive and instrumental networks influence helping, courtesy and sportsmanship behaviours remain neglected. Accordingly, the study examined the linkage between interpersonal ties and interpersonal citizenship behaviour among academics in universities in Bayelsa State. The study adopted an analytic descriptive strategy and a sample of 453 academic staff was selected from a population of 2,675 university lecturers using a stratified sampling procedure. Data were collected by applying a structured questionnaire through the administration of the measurement instrument on academic staff of universities. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling with Smart PLS. The findings indicated that there was a relationship between expressive ties and helping, courtesy and sportsmanship behaviour, and there was a relationship between instrumental ties and helping, courtesy and sportsmanship behaviour among academics in universities. Thus, the study recommended that universities should promote mentorship programmes among faculty members and informal networks to create social bonds. Universities should also encourage professional ties for academics to engage in academic conferences, interdisciplinary research collaborations and knowledge sharing. Besides, there should be a formal system for recognition of extra-role and discretionary behaviour of academics.