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Are your gains threat or chance for me? A social comparison perspective on idiosyncratic deals and coworkers' acceptance

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  • Zhang, Xiaoyan
  • Wu, Wenbing
  • Wu, Wen
  • Zhang, Yihua
  • Xia, Yuhuan

Abstract

Idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) refer to customized work arrangements and employment conditions employees negotiate with employers. Significant scholarly attention has been paid to understand the responses of i-deals' recipients. However, little attention has been paid to coworkers' reactions to the i-deals. This study examines how coworkers react to focal employees' i-deals. We tested our hypotheses with a sample of 253 employee–coworker pairs and found that coworkers are more likely to accept focal employees' flexibility i-deals than development i-deals. Specifically, we found that coworkers view focal employees' development i-deals as more threatening to their status than flexibility i-deals, and status threat mediates the relationship between development i-deals and coworkers' acceptance. In addition, flexibility i-deals increase coworkers' perception of obtaining future i-deals more than development i-deals, and this perception mediates the relationship between flexibility i-deals and coworkers' acceptance. Furthermore, the results show that coworkers' relative leader–member exchange moderates the above relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Xiaoyan & Wu, Wenbing & Wu, Wen & Zhang, Yihua & Xia, Yuhuan, 2024. "Are your gains threat or chance for me? A social comparison perspective on idiosyncratic deals and coworkers' acceptance," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 30(4), pages 840-861, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jomorg:v:30:y:2024:i:4:p:840-861_4
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