Affective trust as a mediator between subordinate organizational citizenship behaviour and supervisors' willingness to mentor

Abstract

Using a sample of 215 managers, this study investigated the role of supervisor affective trust as a mediator between organizational citizenship behaviour and willingness to provide mentorship (psychosocial and career support). Subordinate OCB directed at the supervisor and toward the organization (civic virtue) were investigated. The results showed that supervisor affective trust acted as a mediator between OCB and willingness to provide psychosocial support. The results suggest that an employee seeking psychosocial support from his/her supervisor should build affective trust by engaging in citizenship behaviour directed at the supervisor.