The spiteful effect of envy on innovative behavior: evidence through the individualism vs. collectivism cultural dimension

Purpose This study aims to assess how envy, both directly and indirectly, through negative behaviors such as ostracism, negative word-of-mouth and alignment with the negative behaviors of superiors, influences innovative behavior based on the cultural dimension of individualism versus collectivism. Design/methodology/approach The data was collected using a survey applied to 305 individuals between October 2022 and June 2023. The model developed was analyzed and validated using partial least squares estimation with structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and PLS-SEM multigroup analysis techniques. Findings The results suggest that for individualistic individuals, negative word-of-mouth exerts a greater positive mediating influence on the relationship between envy and ostracism, and that envy exerts a greater positive influence on both alignment with the negative behaviors of superiors and on ostracism. In addition, the results indicate that negative word-of-mouth and ostracism together negatively influence the relationship between envy and innovative behavior. Practical implications This research provides empirical evidence that envy triggers negative behavior in both individualistic and collectivist individuals. Thus, in practical terms, envy can be considered as something more primitive that goes beyond the accepted values of sociability, especially in the organizational environment. Originality/value The main contribution of this research is to understand the effects of envy on innovative behavior, based on a conceptual model that considers the mental programs that differentiate one group of individuals from another. In addition, it presents theoretical and empirical implications that provide descriptive evidence of behaviors, making it possible to broaden the psychological understanding of them. In this specific sense, this research differs from other organizational studies, whose objectives are to standardize behavior.