Understanding how and when workplace ostracism jeopardizes work effort

Abstract

Purpose

While the performance consequences of workplace ostracism (WO) have been examined in many studies, relatively little is known about WO's relationship with work effort (WE), which is a vital part of the performance domain. Moreover, the literature is largely silent regarding how WO translates into reduced effort and when such effects are less likely. The purpose of the study is to bridge these gaps. Specifically, the paper examines the relationship between WO and WE, taking into account the mediating role of emotional exhaustion (EE) and the moderating role of work centrality (WC).

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study came from an online survey of 310 full-time employees of service-sector organizations in Pakistan. The PROCESS macro, a robust computational tool for research models involving both mediating and moderating mechanisms, was used for analysis.

Findings

WO was found to be a risk factor for organizations in that it not only induces/aggravates strain in employees, but also hampers them in expending effort in given roles. Findings further highlight that the negative relationship between WO and WE is mediated by EE and moderated by WC.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the cross-sectional data and correlational research design, the study has limited power to make causal inferences about the relationships between the constructs (e.g. WO and WE). Further, the study is conducted in a collectivist culture where people are particularly sensitive to WO; it is, therefore, possible that the strength of relationships between the constructs might differ in individualistic cultures.

Practical implications

Apart from informing management practices in relation to minimizing the occurrence of WO, the study also offers valuable insights into how employees can protect themselves from the negative effects of WO.

Originality/value

The study is among the very few empirical works that simultaneously explicate how and when WO jeopardizes employees' WE.

Citation

Anjum, M.A., Liang, D., Ahmed, A. and Parvez, A. (2022), "Understanding how and when workplace ostracism jeopardizes work effort", Management Decision, Vol. 60 No. 7, pp. 1793-1812. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-02-2021-0195