Rumor as Revenge in the Workplace

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Authors

Bordia, Prashant
Kiazad, Kohyar
Restubog, Simon
Difonzo, Nicholas
Stenson, Nicholas
Tang, Robert L.

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Volume Title

Publisher

Sage Publications Inc

Abstract

Two studies that examined the role of revenge in rumor transmission and involved working adults as participants are reported. Study 1 used hypothetical scenarios to manipulate organizational treatment of an employee and the believability of a rumor. Participants had higher intention to transmit a harmful rumor when the organization broke job-related promises (i.e., breached the psychological contract) and revenge motivation mediated this relationship. Believability of the rumor had no effect. Study 2 used a field survey methodology and, controlling for social desirability, replicated the results for self- and peer-reported rumor transmission behavior. Study 2 also showed that participants’ belief in negative reciprocity norm strengthened the relationship between breach and revenge motivation.

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Source

Group and Organization Management

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Restricted until

2037-12-31