Does mindfulness moderate between incivility, aggression and conflict at work? Findings from symmetric and asymmetric modeling approaches

Abstract

This study intended to explore the pivotal role of mindfulness in fostering workplace harmony in the Indian hospitality industry. The present study examines how workplace incivility intensifies conflict and aggression at the workplace. Moreover, the mediating role of workplace conflict in the association between incivility and aggression has been examined. Furthermore, the moderating role of mindfulness in incivility, conflict, and aggression has been examined. Data were collected through a two-wave survey from 359 employees working in 3-4 star hotels in India and analysed through SmartPLS (v4.0). The results have revealed that workplace incivility significantly and positively affects conflict and aggression. Workplace conflict also emerged as a critical mediator in the incivility-aggression relationship. Mindfulness significantly moderates between workplace incivility, workplace aggression and workplace conflict. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) highlighted the conditions under which mindfulness mitigates the escalation of incivility into conflict and aggression. The research underscores mindfulness as a transformative tool for enhancing workplace dynamics. It offers evidence-based recommendations for embedding mindfulness practices into organizational policies to alleviate the detrimental effects of incivility and promote workplace harmony.