Abstract
Purpose - This paper aims to present: the concept of voluntary, helpful organizational behavior (V-HOB); research results regarding how one subset of future business employees, accounting students, may be predisposed to such behavior; and practical training and development approaches aimed at establishing a work environment supportive of V-HOB. Design/methodology/approach - This exploratory research involves surveying accounting majors to capture perceptions of predisposition toward V-HOB. Survey results measure elements of V-HOB and several task performances. The authors synthesize relevant research, providing pragmatic suggestions for management training and development. Findings - Data analysis was inconclusive regarding individuals' predisposition toward V-HOB. This exploratory research suggests that academic success may not indicate V-HOB predisposition. Training and development may be more effective than attempting to recruit individuals predisposed toward V-HOB. Research limitations/implications - Limitations to this exploratory research include a small sample size of a homogeneous group, as to major, class size, university attendance. Future research could focus on V-HOB predisposition by gender, academic discipline, and country/culture. Broader aspects of task performance including participation and absenteeism could be studied. While more research is needed, these preliminary results may indicate that predisposition toward V-HOB can be difficult to identify. Practical implications - The authors provide managerial guidance regarding investment of effort into recruiting candidates having a predisposition toward V-HOB, and for training toward nurturing an environment in which V-HOB is more likely to thrive. Originality/value - This paper defines and describes behaviors which support V-HOB. A gap is bridged between academic study of such behaviors and pragmatic techniques for development of managers.
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