How does team-level intragroup relationship conflict drive newcomers’ passivity and escape?: the role of social exclusion

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of social exclusion in transferring the effects of team-level relationship conflict to newcomers’ passivity and escape behaviors. Design/methodology/approach A two-phase, three-wave, two-source data collection approach was used. Multilevel structural equation modeling analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized model. Findings Newcomers’ membership of conflict-ridden teams triggers feelings of social exclusion among them, ultimately driving passivity (silence and lack of innovation) and escape in cognitive (deidentification) and behavioral (job search) terms. Research limitations/implications The findings of this study underline the role of newcomers’ social exclusion perceptions during the socialization process and explain how social exclusion links team-level relationship conflict to newcomers’ passivity and escape behaviors. External validity of the findings is limited. Originality/value This is the first study to investigate the role of social exclusion in the newcomer adjustment process. In particular, it examines how social exclusion influences newcomers’ passivity and escape behaviors.