Workplace loneliness: Developing and testing a mediated moderation model

Abstract Research to date has offered limited clarity about the causes and consequences of workplace loneliness. We examine a model in Indian business organizations that positions work meaningfulness as an antecedent and creativity as an outcome of workplace loneliness. Further, we examine the mediating effect of workplace loneliness in the relationship between work meaningfulness and creativity and the moderating role of perceived organizational support on this mediated relationship. Time‐lagged field studies from two distinct sectors (study 1: banking industry, n = 204; study 2: public sector undertakings, n = 375) supported our proposed hypotheses. We establish perceived meaninglessness in work as a resource loss situation to which employees respond by limiting their social interaction, leading to loneliness, which subsequently reduces their engagement in creative endeavors. Further, perceived organizational support provides a buffer against the negative impact of workplace loneliness on employees' creativity by providing them with the needed resources. Implications for theory, practice, and future research avenues are discussed.