Ingratiating with bosses for favourable performance ratings: a serial mediation mechanism

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines how team-level mediating mechanisms (i.e. team psychological safety and team helping behaviour) facilitate the relationship between employees' ingratiation and performance ratings.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 180 customer service teams working in Pakistan's hospitality industry through multiple sources using a paper and pencil questionnaire.

Findings

The multi-level structural equation modelling results showed that team psychological safety and helping behaviour fully mediated the relationship between ingratiation and performance ratings.

Practical implications

The study has offered some implications for theory and practices.

Originality/value

This study showed that ingratiation might be a helpful impression management tool within a team context. Such an influence technique nurtures a psychologically safe climate and encourages peers to help each other perform mutual tasks within the hospitality context.

Citation

Asadullah, M.A., Siddiquei, A., Musaddiq, M. and Amin, R. (2023), "Ingratiating with bosses for favourable performance ratings: a serial mediation mechanism", Personnel Review, Vol. 52 No. 4, pp. 955-971. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-05-2020-0351