Moreover, only one outcome variable ECN was measured and the impact of
organisational-level variables, such as marketplace competitiveness, were not investigated
in relation to gossip. Perhaps also, organisations struggling to survive may be more prone
to negative gossip and ECN. Similarly, although JRG and NJG are found to have different
relationships with ECN, we cannot assert whether the findings are applicable to other
outcome variables, such as organisational identification and citizenship behaviour, which
are found to be crucial in influencing organisational performance (Chang et al., 2013).
Finally, Abraham (2000) indicates that cynicism may be related to personality, so we
recommend future studies to consider personality factors, so that the knowledge of ECN
may continue to be advanced.