Does TMX affect instigated workplace incivility? The mediating role of the personal norm of negative reciprocity and psychological contract violation

Pervasive and rampant workplace incivility effects have called for more studies on antecedents and possible deterrents of the onset of such a phenomenon. Based on Social Exchange Theory (SET), this study proposes an analysis of the effect of Team-Member Exchange (TMX) on instigated incivility. The conceptual model simultaneously explores the combined effect of interventions on teams and organizational levels. Indeed, the personal norm of negative reciprocity (PNR) and the psychological contract violation (PCV) are hypothesized as mediating variables of such a relationship. The model is empirically tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) on a sample of 330 employees. Although TMX positively impacts instigated incivility, PNR and PCV fully mediate the cited relationship. Findings suggest that by encouraging high-quality TMX, managers could reduce employees’ willingness to instigate incivility toward colleagues other than team-members. However, focusing only on TMX may be insufficient because of the role played by individual attitudes and organizational levers such as PNR and PCV. Based on this, we enrich current works on incivility analyzing the role of positive sentiments in minimizing deviant behaviors. Secondly, we answer to Spreitzer’s (2019) call for new research avenues that investigate negative organizational phenomena through a positive lens. We also contribute to build a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that might produce uncivil behaviors.