The impact of organizational gossip on emotional attachment and organizational alienation: A case study of Batman University

The study examines the impact of organizational gossip on emotional commitment and organizational alienation among administrative staff at Batman University. Organizational gossip is a phenomenon frequently encountered in workplaces and recognized as an important form of communication. It can influence employees' emotional commitment while increasing their levels of organizational alienation. Moreover, it plays a decisive role in shaping employees' work-related attitudes, sense of organizational belonging, and turnover intentions. In this context, organizational gossip is a communication phenomenon that generates significant outcomes at both individual and organizational levels. The population of the study consists of administrative staff employed at Batman University. Data were collected through surveys that included scales measuring organizational gossip, emotional commitment, and organizational alienation. The sample size was determined to ensure representativeness of the population. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. The findings of the study reveal that organizational gossip increased employees' levels of organizational alienation but did not have a significant effect on emotional commitment. Gossip showed varying impacts on the sub-dimensions of alienation—powerlessness, meaninglessness, and self-alienation. It was found to have a particularly positive effect on the dimensions of meaninglessness and self-alienation. The content of gossip plays a role in influencing employees' processes of finding organizational meaning, thereby contributing to increased alienation.