Clarifying the overlap in measurement indicators between adhocracy culture and organizational citizenship behavior for organizational learning and resilience

Purpose This article reexamines the conceptual and empirical boundary between adhocracy culture and organizational citizenship behavior in organizational learning and resilience research, evaluating whether observed relationships reflect genuine theoretical alignment or arise from measurement-driven overlap between organizational context and individual behavior. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts an integrative literature review to clarify the conceptual and empirical boundary between adhocracy culture and organizational citizenship behavior in organizational learning and resilience studies. The review critically examines construct definitions, operational indicators, and measurement approaches to clarify conceptual distinctions and identify sources of empirical overlap. Findings Adhocracy culture serves as a macro-level contextual enabler promoting flexibility, innovation, autonomy, and learning, whereas organizational citizenship behavior represents microlevel discretionary behaviors that support collaboration and knowledge exchange. Although conceptually distinct, both are often measured through similar indicators such as initiative, teamwork, and problem-solving, creating measurement ambiguity. Their interaction forms a context-behavior system that enhances organizational learning and adaptive capability. Research limitations/implications The study enhances theory by clarifying construct boundaries, highlighting measurement bias, and supporting more rigorous multi-level and discriminant validity approaches in future research. Practical implications Organizations should separate cultural and behavioral interventions, avoid using behavioral indicators as cultural proxies, and design systems that independently strengthen both to enhance resilience. Originality/value The study introduces a context-behavior reframing that distinguishes cultural conditions from discretionary behavior while explaining their interdependence.