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Feeling Gratitude and Depletion: The Ambivalent Consequences of Receiving Help in the Workplace

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  • Yuanfang Zhan

    (School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Jinfan Zhou

    (Department of Human Resource Management, School of Business, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China)

  • Huan Cheng

    (School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Renyan Mu

    (School of Management, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430074, China)

Abstract

Drawing from social exchange theory, we developed a dual-path model of employees’ reactions to episodic help received from colleagues. Through a diary study, using data collected from 127 full-time employees working in a large Chinese bank, we tested this model, revealing that receiving episodic help from colleagues is positively related to the help receivers’ gratitude and ego depletion. Through these two ambivalent psychological states, help receivers were found to simultaneously engage in more organizational citizenship behaviors and deviance behaviors on a daily basis. These empirical findings contribute to research that adopts a target-centric perspective in examining the consequences of helping behavior in the workplace.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanfang Zhan & Jinfan Zhou & Huan Cheng & Renyan Mu, 2021. "Feeling Gratitude and Depletion: The Ambivalent Consequences of Receiving Help in the Workplace," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2039-:d:502183
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fehr, Ryan & Yam, Kai Chi & He, Wei & Chiang, Jack Ting-Ju & Wei, Wu, 2017. "Polluted work: A self-control perspective on air pollution appraisals, organizational citizenship, and counterproductive work behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 98-110.
    2. Mead, N.L. & Baumeister, R.F. & Gino, F. & Schweitzer, M.E. & Ariely, D., 2009. "Too tired to tell the truth : Self-control resource depletion and dishonesty," Other publications TiSEM c60167a3-c3aa-4b83-9192-1, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Yam, Kai Chi & Chen, Xiao-Ping & Reynolds, Scott J., 2014. "Ego depletion and its paradoxical effects on ethical decision making," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 124(2), pages 204-214.
    4. Gino, Francesca & Schweitzer, Maurice E. & Mead, Nicole L. & Ariely, Dan, 2011. "Unable to resist temptation: How self-control depletion promotes unethical behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 115(2), pages 191-203, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wendrila Biswas & Debarun Chakraborty, 2023. "‘As You Sow So You Reap’: A Multi-case Study on Reshaping Workforce Well-being Through Positive Sustainability at Construction Firms," South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, , vol. 12(3), pages 333-351, December.

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