A Social Network Analysis of Positive and Negative Gossip in Organizational Life

Group & Organization Management, 35: 177-212, 2010, DOI: 10.1177/1059601109360391

36 Pages Posted: 5 Mar 2015

See all articles by Travis Grosser

Travis Grosser

University of Connecticut School of Business

Virginie Kidwell

University of North Texas

Giuseppe (Joe) Labianca

University of Kentucky - Gatton College of Business and Economics

Date Written: February 25, 2010

Abstract

The authors use social network analysis to understand how employees’ propensity to engage in positive and negative gossip is driven by their underlying relationship ties. They find that expressive friendship ties between employees are positively related to engaging in both positive and negative gossip, whereas instrumental workflow ties, which are less trusting than friendship ties, are related solely with positive gossip. The authors also find that structural embeddedness in the friendship network further increases the chance that the pair will engage in negative gossip. Finally, an employee’s total gossiping activity (both positive and negative) is negatively related to supervisors’ evaluations of the employee’s performance, whereas total gossip activity is positively related to peers’ evaluations of the employee’s informal influence.

Keywords: Gossip, social networks, structural embeddedness, organizational behavior

Suggested Citation

Grosser, Travis and Kidwell, Virginie and Labianca, Giuseppe (Joe), A Social Network Analysis of Positive and Negative Gossip in Organizational Life (February 25, 2010). Group & Organization Management, 35: 177-212, 2010, DOI: 10.1177/1059601109360391, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2573443

Travis Grosser (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut School of Business ( email )

Management Dept.
Unit 1041
Storrs, CT 06269-2041
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.business.uconn.edu/profiles/travis-grosser/

Virginie Kidwell

University of North Texas ( email )

1155 Union Circle #305340
Denton, TX 76203
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://cob.unt.edu/users/vnk0010

Giuseppe (Joe) Labianca

University of Kentucky - Gatton College of Business and Economics ( email )

550 South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40506
United States

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