WORKPLACE OSTRACISM, WORKPLACE SILENCE, OPTIMISM, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR AMONG NURSES IN TEACHING HOSPITALS IN LAGOS METROPOLIS

Abstract

This study propose that workplace ostracism (WKO) may trigger workplace silence (WKS) in employees resulting in inefficient work behaviors such as poor performance of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB); however, factors mitigating or exacerbating these relationships are yet to be fully understood. This study investigate the relationship between OCB, workplace ostracism and silence as well as the mediating role of optimism among nurses in Teaching Hospitals in Lagos metropolis. Using cross-sectional survey design, responses from n = 350 nurses were gathered through structured questionnaire designed to measure the study constructs using multi-stage sampling techniques. Correlation and regression analysis was performed on the study data using SPSS statistical package version 22. Result shows significant relationship between workplace ostracism, silence, optimism, and OCB. Workplace ostracism, silence, and optimism accounted for significant variance in OCB. Also, optimism partially mediated the relationship between ostracism and OCB on the one hand, and silence and OCB on the other hand. Measures aimed at preventing employee silence and ostracism among nurses in the workplace as well as measure for improving optimism as psychological resource among nurses through training should be put in place in order to encourage organizational citizenship behavior among nurses. This study adds to existing literature by emphasizing the importance of optimism as a psychological resource that can augment unpleasant workplace experiences that are less beneficial to an organization.