Influence of Mentorship Practices on Organisational Citizenship Behaviour: Insights from Employees in Selected Savings and Credits Co-operative Societies in Kilimanjaro

Abstract

The environment in which Savings and Credit Co-operative 
Societies (SACCOS) operate is highly competitive. In this regard, 
they require dedicated employees who are loyal and willing to put 
in extra effort to boost their competitive advantages, improve 
customer service, and enhance the organisation's reputation. 
Nevertheless, the issue of organisational citizenship, behaviour, 
and mentoring in cooperatives in Tanzania has not received much 
attention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine how 
mentoring practices influence employees' organisational 
citizenship behaviours in selected savings and credit cooperative 
societies in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. Guided by social 
exchange theory, the study used a mixed research design to 
gather both qualitative and quantitative data. By using purposive 
and simple random sampling, data were obtained from 134 
selected SACCOS employees as well as 9 key informants. 
Collected data were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively 
using correlation, linear regression and content analysis methods. 
The study indicated that psychosocial, cognitive, and patronage 
mentoring substantially enhanced employees' organisational 
citizenship behaviour at Tanzania's SACCOS. The study concluded 
that mentorship is a critical factor in promoting voluntary 
employee behaviour in organisations. It recommends that 
SACCOS management establish a clear formal structure for 
mentor-mentee relationships, provide training for mentors, and 
strategically monitor the progress of mentoring to foster 
employee growth and encourage performance-related behaviour.