Whispers of wisdom? An information processing model of politics perceptions, incivility and citizenship behavior

Purpose Information gathering and validation (IGV) through gossip is of key importance for the employees as their survival in the organizations is sufficiently linked with the mapping of environment. Drawing on social information processing theory, this study aims to explore the relationship of perceived organizational politics (POP) with instigated workplace incivility and organizational citizenship behavior toward individual (OCBI) through the mediating effects of IGV. Design/methodology/approach To test the hypotheses, a three-wave, time-lagged quantitative study was designed. Data were collected from private (n = 408; Study 1) as well as public-sector (n = 239; Study 2) organizations situated across India. Structural equation modeling was used using SPSS AMOS 27 to analyze the data. Findings The results revealed that IGV mediated the relationship between POP and instigated incivility in Studies 1 and 2, whereas it mediated the relationship between POP and OCBI in Study 1 only. Originality/value IGV is a primary motivation factor behind gossip at work, and carries the potential to significantly alter employee’s courses of action. This study is an original attempt to delineate the link between POP and employee behavior through IGV. The study highlights gossiper’s perspective in proliferation or diminution of specific behaviors within organizations.