An Explanatory Model of Islamic Work Ethics and Organizational Citizenship Behavior Due to Job Values: Case Study of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, organizations have resorted to various techniques and strategies to institutionalize ethic according to which the organizational members behave. Hence, by focusing on Islamic ethics and culture governing organizations, the present study was an attempt to investigate the importance of work ethics in organizations and its outcomes in Iran, taking into account the organizational citizenship behavior and the impact of job values. Methods: 239 out of 8282 employees of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences who all hold at least a bachelor’s degree were selected. The participants were selected using cluster stratified random sampling method. They were given three questionnaires; however, only 198 (83%) were returned. The required data for this practical field study were collected through the documents, papers or theses existed in libraries, or online in valid scientific databases. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and factor analysis were used to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaires, respectively. Results: The highest correlation coefficient among the variables was between the organizational citizenship behavior and job values. Furthermore, among all the variables, only two (perseverance or efficiency at work, and healthy relationship) had a direct, indirect and general impact on citizenship behavior. The amount of general impact was higher than the other two. Moreover, job values affect citizenship behavior directly. Conclusion: Islamic work ethics significantly affects employees’ viewpoint and made them behave appropriately in an organization. Furthermore, the values of each individual or the whole group in working atmosphere were in line with the increased social attention to humane and ethical values, i.e. considering job values, Islamic work ethics affect organizational citizenship behavior. Keywords: Islamic Work Ethics; Organizational Citizenship Behavior; Job Value