How does receiving gossip from coworkers influence employees’ task performance and interpersonal deviance? The moderating roles of regulatory focus and the mediating role of vicarious learning

Based on social learning theory and regulatory focus theory, we propose that receiving positive negative gossip from coworkers increases individuals’ vicarious learning, which subsequently improves their adaptive behaviours in the workplace, namely, increasing task performance decreasing interpersonal deviance. Furthermore, receivers’ foci determine extent to receivers engage change behaviours. Results two studies testing a moderated mediation model (Study 1: N = 214; Study 2: 189) showed were indirectly related increased decreased deviance through learning. The indirect effect of was stronger for with high prevention focus, promotion focus. This research documents beneficial role advances our understanding its consequences workplace. Practitioner points Managers should recognize as potentially effective channel disseminating information, providing valuable tool receivers, they use according needs, shaped by Organizations could implement measures share experiences bolster employees’ other means than mitigate potential effects workplace targets. support higher transparency access information facilitate improve organizational effectiveness.