Passing the word: Toward a model of gossip and power in the workplace

Although gossip is widespread, seldom has it been a topic of management res earch. Here we build a conceptual model of workplace gossip and its effects on the power of employees who initiate it. After defining and distinguishi ng among different kinds of workplace gossip, we develop propositions about the effect of that gossip on gossipers' expert, referent, reward, and coer cive power. We then suggest how moderators may shape those effects and disc uss implications of the model.