A Resource Conservation Process Model of Sending Workplace Gossip

Abstract: Despite growing interest in workplace gossip, existing scholarship lacks a sender-centered model explaining how the decision to gossip for employees connects to particular workplace targets, receivers, and outcomes. This research introduces the Impacted Resources Model, a feedback-based framework grounded in conservation of resources theory that conceptualizes sending workplace gossip as a form of resource regulation. The model treats the gossip target as a distal trigger signaling perceived threats or opportunities to valued sender resources, activating gossip consideration. It distinguishes these antecedents from decision-making factors shaping enactment, including sender traits and attitudes, gossip sensitivity, and access to trusted receivers capable of fortifying resource caravans. Drawing on recognition-primed decision-making, gossip decisions are framed as rapid appraisals of resource risk and reward, the outcomes of which recalibrate subsequent gossip behavior. Practically, the model encourages organizations to teach thoughtful gossip that benefits all actors.

Keywords: Workplace gossip; conservation of resources; recognition-primed decision-making; organizational communication; motivation