Gossip fiercer than a tiger: Effect of workplace negative gossip on targeted employees’ innovative behavior

Abstract

From a self-evaluation perspective, we explored the influence of negative workplace gossip on targeted employees’ innovative behavior. We surveyed 296 employees of 19 enterprises. The results of regression analysis showed that negative workplace gossip was negatively related to employees’ innovative behavior, that organization-based self-esteem mediated the relationship between negative workplace gossip and employees’ innovative behavior, and that employees’ creative selfefficacy moderated the relationship between organization-based self-esteem and employees’ innovative behavior, such that the positive relationship was stronger when employees’ creative self-efficacy was higher. Our findings offer insight into the potential harm of gossip in the workplace and contribute to delineating the underlying mechanism and boundary condition of the link between negative workplace gossip and employees’ innovative behavior. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

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