Does gossip has impact on employee cynicism? Empirical study of higher education institutions in Pakistan

Abstract

Gossip is a common phenomenon in the workplace, but yet relatively little is understood about its influence to employees. This study adopts social information theory and social cognitive theory to interpret the diverse literature on gossip, and to develop and test hypotheses concerning some of the antecedents of gossip, with an aim of developing knowledge of the relationship between gossip and employee behavior in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to check the direct and mediating impact of two types of Gossip (Job related gossip and Non-Job related gossip) on employee cynicism through Psychological contract violation (PCV) and Abusive supervision (AS) on the Faculty and Managerial employees of Higher Education institutes of Pakistan. The results show strong impact of Job related gossip and Non-Job related gossip and its antecedents towards employee cynicism however mediation through Job related gossip fails to prove in Pakistani context. Non job related Gossip do have impact though it is very low. The study has implications for employees, management and administrators of the higher education commission (HEC). The management of HEC should be concern about this gossip impact in the workplace as it lead their employees to behave cynically which could affect their performance.