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Does positive workplace gossip help socialize newcomers? A dual-pathway model based on network ties
Boqiang Zong1, Lihua Zhang1, Xixi Chu1
1Department of Human Resource Management, School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
Psych Journal
|June 17, 2021
Summary
Positive workplace gossip fosters newcomer socialization by building instrumental and expressive social relationships. These connections, including information and friendship ties, enhance role clarity and social integration for new employees.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Behavior
- Social Psychology
- Human Resource Management
Background:
- Limited research exists on positive workplace gossip, contrasting with extensive studies on negative gossip.
- Understanding positive gossip's role is crucial for effective newcomer socialization and integration.
- Social network theory provides a framework for analyzing gossip's impact on workplace relationships.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mediating mechanisms of positive workplace gossip on newcomer socialization outcomes.
- To explore how positive gossip influences the formation of social ties (informational and friendship).
- To determine the impact of these ties on newcomer role clarity and social integration.
Main Methods:
- Data collected using a multi-time and multi-source approach.
- Employed social network analysis to examine gossip pathways.
- Statistical analysis to test mediation effects of social ties.
Main Results:
- Positive workplace gossip significantly predicts newcomer socialization outcomes.
- Informational ties and friendship ties act as significant mediators.
- Positive gossip facilitates the development of instrumental and expressive social relationships, improving socialization.
Conclusions:
- Positive workplace gossip is a valuable tool for enhancing newcomer socialization.
- Management should encourage positive workplace communication to foster social networks.
- Further research can explore other mediating factors and diverse workplace contexts.
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