A Review of Workplace Gossip: The Development of a Process Model for Studying Workplace Gossip

Drawing on multi-disciplinary literature, the current chapter provides a conceptual review of the workplace gossip and contributes to the literatures in four specific ways. Firstly, we argues that workplace gossip should be separated from general gossip in literature, and we develops an integrative conceptual model to support the argument. Secondly, we examine the similarities and differences among major workplace gossip constructs. We analyze five emerging types of workplace gossip and explain their unique characteristics. Thirdly, we examine both empirical and literature-based studies that have been conducted on gossip. We then develop a conceptual model that integrates the important characteristics of the gossipers, victims, moderators, mediators, and consequences of workplace gossip. Finally, we critically discuss the important areas where future research may be needed. It is our hope that this chapter provides an in-depth look at the phenomenon of workplace gossip and inspires future research. Implications of the research findings are informative to the personnel management, helping reduce the problems associated with workplace gossip too.