Putting customer service at risk: Why and when family ostracism relates to customer-oriented behaviors

H. M.Saidur Rahaman, Ho Kwong Kwan, Mayowa T. Babalola, Haixiao Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examines why and when family ostracism can have an adverse effect on employees’ customer service behaviors. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), we theorize the existence of moderated multi-mediation relationships between family ostracism and employees’ customer service behaviors (i.e., customer-oriented organizational citizenship behaviors and customer-oriented voice behaviors) through harmonious passion for work and customer orientation, with social skills playing a moderating role. We used a time-lagged design to collect data from service employees in China. Our results show that controlling for workplace ostracism at Time 1, the relationship between family ostracism and employees’ customer service behaviors is negative and serially mediated by both harmonious passion for work and customer orientation. Furthermore, employees who are less socially skilled are more prone to the adverse effects of family ostracism. Last, female employees are more vulnerable to the effects of family ostracism on their customer service.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103390
JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management
Volume109
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Customer orientation
  • Customer-focused organizational citizenship behavior
  • Customer-focused voice
  • Family ostracism
  • Harmonious passion for work
  • Social skills

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
  • Strategy and Management

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