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Previous studies have mainly focused on the negative impact of illegitimate tasks on recipients but ignored its impact on observers. Drawing on deservingness theory, this research developed a moderated serial mediation model to examine the underlying mechanism in the relationship between observed illegitimate tasks and observers’ helping behaviour.

This research tested the model using a sample of 218 employees in China through a two-wave field study. A path analysis was conducted with the bootstrapping procedure to test the hypothesized model.

The results showed that the effect of observing illegitimate tasks was contingent upon the degree of the observer’s interpersonal liking towards the recipient. Specifically, when the observer had a high level of interpersonal liking for a coworker, the observer may perceive that the coworker was undeserving of being assigned illegitimate tasks, which increased sympathetic emotion and the sequent helping behaviour.

This study shifted the perspective of the illegitimate task literature from the recipient to the third parties. Additionally, it provided a finer-grained understanding of the mechanism between observed workplace disrespectful treatment and the observer’s helping behaviour.

Building on the core concept of anthropomorphism and the empathy-helping theory, this research aims to examine how product anthropomorphism and buyer usage intentions affect sellers’ pricing in second-hand markets as well as explore the psychological dynamics underlying these effects.

To test the hypotheses, a series of four experiments were conducted. Studies 1a (n = 140) and 1b (n = 140) employed a one-factor (product anthropomorphism: yes vs no) between-subject design and used chi-square analysis. Study 2 (n = 145) and Study 3 (n = 162) employed a 2 (usage intention: protective vs destructive) × 2 (product anthropomorphism: yes vs no) between-subject design and used two-way ANOVA and moderated mediation analysis.

The study found that even when potential buyers with destructive (vs protective) usage intentions offer higher prices, sellers of anthropomorphized (vs non-anthropomorphized) products are less willing to choose them (Studies 1a and 1b). When potential buyers express destructive (vs protective) usage intentions, sellers of anthropomorphized (vs non-anthropomorphized) products are less willing to offer discounts (Study 2), and the lowest price they are willing to accept is higher (Study 3). The level of perceived capacity for pain mediates these effects (Study 3).

These findings offer insights into the application of product anthropomorphism strategies and the second-hand transactions of used anthropomorphized products.

Little is established about the mechanism through which employee voice is connected to employee mental health. Drawing from social exchange theory, this study examines how employee engagement practices are associated with employee voice, which further influences employee mental health. In addition, the study includes parallel mediation and examines whether perceived interpersonal justice (PIJ) and empathetic leadership (EL) mediate the relationship between employee engagement practices and employee voice.

Three time-lagged surveys of 457 employees in the Indian information technology (IT) sector were accomplished.

As hypothesised, employee engagement practices have a positive influence on employee voice. Secondly, employee voice has a positive influence on the employee’s mental health. PIJ and EL were also found to be significant parallel mediators for the relationship among employee engagement practices and employee voice.

This study displays the positive influence of employee engagement practices on employee voice. Further, the employee’s voice influences the employee’s mental health. Therefore, it suggests means for improving its pervasiveness in an organisation.

This research paper is an important contribution as it is one of the few studies examining the role of PIJ and EL as parallel mediators of employee engagement practices and employee voice. It also answers repeated calls for more research on employee mental health in the IT sector.