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Mentoring matters: decoding the impact of downward envy on interpersonal conflict, workplace ostracism, and displaced aggression

Miaomiao Li (School of Economics and Management, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China)
Yinglin Qin (School of Management, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China)
Jiaqi Le (College of Business, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China)

Journal of Managerial Psychology

ISSN: 0268-3946

Article publication date: 26 September 2024

127

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates how downward envy affects interpersonal conflict, workplace ostracism and displaced aggression in the mentoring context. It seeks to deepen our understanding of how these dynamics influence a mentor–protégé relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a three-wave research design, this study uses a sample of 176 participants in mentoring relationships to test our proposed moderated mediation model.

Findings

Downward envy can increase interpersonal conflict, workplace ostracism and displaced aggression. A mentor’s social comparison orientation moderates these effects by amplifying the negative impacts of downward envy.

Research limitations/implications

These findings have practical implications for both mentors and protégés.

Practical implications

These findings have practical implications for both mentors and protégés.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by focusing on downward envy within the mentoring context, yielding valuable insights to navigate mentoring experiences at work.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: This study was funded by the Youth Fund Project for Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education of China (grant number 24YJCZH256).

Citation

Li, M., Qin, Y. and Le, J. (2024), "Mentoring matters: decoding the impact of downward envy on interpersonal conflict, workplace ostracism, and displaced aggression", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-12-2023-0768

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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