Perceptions of negative workplace gossip: a self-consistency theory framework

Wu, L.-Z., Birtch, T. A., Chiang, F. F.T. and Zhang, H. (2018) Perceptions of negative workplace gossip: a self-consistency theory framework. Journal of Management, 44(5), pp. 1873-1898. (doi: 10.1177/0149206316632057)

Abstract

We present and test a self-consistency theory framework for gossip: that perceived negative workplace gossip influences our self-perceptions and, in turn, this influences our behaviors. Using supervisor-subordinate dyadic time-lagged data (n = 403), we demonstrated that perceived negative workplace gossip adversely influenced target employees’ organization-based self-esteem, which, in turn, influenced their citizenship behavior directed at the organization and at its members. Moreover, by integrating victimization theory into our framework, we further demonstrated that negative affectivity, an individual’s dispositional tendency, not only moderated the self-consistency process but also predicted perceived negative workplace gossip. Our study therefore shifts attention to the target of negative workplace gossip and in doing so offers a promising new direction for future research. Implications to theory and practice are discussed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Strategy and management, finance.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zhang, Dr Haina
• Authors: Wu, L.-Z., Birtch, T. A., Chiang, F. F.T., and Zhang, H.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Journal of Management
• Publisher: SAGE
• ISSN: 0149-2063
• ISSN (Online): 1557-1211
• Published Online: 25 April 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Management 44(5):1873-1898
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher