Keele Research Repository
Explore the Repository
Xie, J, Huang, Q, Wang, H and Shen, M (2019) Perish in gossip? Nonlinear effects of perceived negative workplace gossip on job performance. Personnel Review, ahead- (ahead-). ISSN 0048-3486
![[thumbnail of Personnel Review accepted version.docx]](https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png)
Personnel Review accepted version.docx - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (164kB)
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the curvilinear relationship between perceived negative workplace gossip and target employee’s task performance, and the moderating roles of perceived organizational support (POS).Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 275 supervisor–subordinate dyads in a two-wave survey, the authors adopted a hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses.Findings The results revealed that there is a U-shaped relationship between perceived negative workplace gossip and task performance. Moreover, POS moderated the curvilinear relationship such that the curvilinear relationship is more pronounced among those with lower POS.Research limitations/implications This study does not explore the mediating mechanism of how perceived negative gossip affects the target’s task performance. Moreover, as this research was conducted in a Chinese context, the question of the generalizability of the findings calls for more attention.Practical implications When the negative gossip is still in its early stages, managers should realize the potential threat to target employees and take measures to stop and minimize negative gossiping and rumormongering. Furthermore, managers should do their best to find the optimal levels of organizational support for target employees.Originality/value This study is among the first effort to understand how perceived negative gossip can influence the target employees’ performance by proposing and demonstrating a nonlinear relationship. Moreover, by illuminating how POS plays a role in the curvilinear relationship between negative gossip and task performance, the authors not only complement but also extend the literature on workplace gossip and organizational support.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Additional Information: | The final version of this accepted manuscript can be found at; https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/PR-10-2018-0400/full/html#sec001 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | gossip, nonlinear effects, negative workplace, job performance |
Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare |
Divisions: | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > Keele Business School |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | Symplectic |
Date Deposited: | 17 Jan 2020 16:27 |
Last Modified: | 27 Jan 2020 13:53 |
URI: | https://eprints.keele.ac.uk/id/eprint/7526 |