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Why do people enjoy hitchhiking in teams? A moderated serial mediated study on social loafing

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  • Lihu Sun

    (Shanxi University of Finance and Economics)

  • Xin Gao

    (Shanxi University of Finance and Economics)

  • Yang Li

    (Shanxi University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

Drawing on social information processing theory, this study explored the formation mechanism of social loafing and the outcomes of emotional attitudes from a team perspective, revealing the boundary conditions associated with this process. By conducting a time-lagged field study of 223 employees and 75 leaders working in a large Chinese enterprise, we found support that team task visibility is negatively related to team social loafing and that team contribution identifiability fully mediates the relationship between team task visibility and team social loafing. We also examined a moderated serial mediation model according to which team task interdependence moderates this serial mediating effect, thus suggesting that team task interdependence moderates the serial mediating effect according to which team task visibility influences team job satisfaction through team contribution identifiability and team social loafing. These findings enrich relevant research and can help leaders address the phenomenon of social loafing more effectively in organizational contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Lihu Sun & Xin Gao & Yang Li, 2025. "Why do people enjoy hitchhiking in teams? A moderated serial mediated study on social loafing," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 24(3), pages 496-520, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:abaman:v:24:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1057_s41291-024-00267-4
    DOI: 10.1057/s41291-024-00267-4
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