Talking About the Boss

Lea Ellwardt · Rafael P. M. Wittek · Rudi Wielers

99 citations0/0 files storedGroup & Organization Management

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Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior Management and Organizational Studies Knowledge Management and Sharing

Abstract

This study developed and tested a relational theory of positive and negative gossip about managers. It is argued that spreading information about managers depends on trust in organizations, more specifically the employees’ generalized and interpersonal trust in managers and colleagues. Hypotheses were tested by conducting two studies in a medium-sized Dutch child care organization, namely, an employee survey ( N = 132) and a network study at two sites ( N = 58). Multiple regressions and cross-sectional social network analysis (exponential random graph modeling [ERGM]) revealed that negative gossip about managers increases when employees have low trust, nonfriendly relationships, and infrequent contact with the managers. This effect is further enhanced when contacts between employees are trusting and frequent. Implications for theories about management and organizations are discussed.

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References

1981The Evolution of Cooperation 1990Foundations of social theory 2017Exchange and Power in Social Life 1965Exchange and Power in Social Life.1998Not So Different After All: A Cross-Discipline View Of Trust 1992Structural Holes 1991Foundations of Social Theory 1995Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition

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