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From errors to OCBs and creativity: A multilevel mediation mechanism of workplace gratitude

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Abstract

This study uses organizational support theory and broaden-and-build theory to examine the antecedents and consequences of workplace gratitude. Specifically, we explored the moderating role of job satisfaction and the mediating role of gratitude at work, including team error management climate as a predictor and OCBs and creativity as outcome variables. Using multiphase, multisource, and multilevel data of 229 employees from 33 teams of two architectural companies located in the east of China, we found that team error management climate is conducive to enhancing employees’ workplace gratitude, and that increased workplace gratitude then stimulates more organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) and creativity among employees. The positive effect of team error management climate on workplace gratitude and the indirect effect of team error management climate on OCBs and creativity are stronger for employees with lower job satisfaction. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings for managing employees’ gratitude in the workplace.

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The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project Numbers: 72002113; 71772176) granted to Dr. Guo and Dr. Song respectively.

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Correspondence to Yirong Guo.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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The present study was carried out following the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or compare ethics commitment. Our study was conducted with the consent of the ethics committee of Tsinghua University and Renmin University of China.

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The corresponding author is sure that informed consent, written, was obtained from all participants and clearly state it. And written informed consent to participate was obtained from the parents/guardians of the minors included in this study.

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Chen, L., Guo, Y., Song, L.J. et al. From errors to OCBs and creativity: A multilevel mediation mechanism of workplace gratitude. Curr Psychol 41, 6170–6184 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01120-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-01120-5

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