The “Double-edged Sword” Effects of Status Threats on Employee Boundary-spanning Behavior

Abstract

Abstract: Based on the conservation of resources theory, this study explores the mechanism by which status threats influence employees’ boundary-spanning behaviors and the boundary conditions of this effect. By collecting paired data from 406 corporate employees at three time points, hierarchical regression analysis and Bootstrap methods are used to test hypotheses. The study results show that: first, when employees have high core self-evaluations, the interaction between status threats and core self-evaluation has a positive effect on proving goal orientation; when employees have low core self-evaluations, the interaction between status threats and core self-evaluation has a positive effect on avoiding goal orientation. Second, proving goal orientation has a positive effect on boundary-spanning behaviors, and avoiding goal orientation has a negative effect on boundary-spanning behaviors. Third, proving goal orientation and avoiding goal orientation play a mediating role in the impact of the interaction between status threats and core self-evaluation on boundary-spanning behaviors, thus demonstrating a moderating effect of the mediation. The findings deepen the understanding of the mechanisms through which status threats operate and their behavioral consequences, and provide practical implications for organizations to scientifically identify and effectively respond to employees’ perceived status threats.

Key words: status threats, boundary-spanning behavior, core self-evaluation, proving goal orientation, avoiding goal orientation

Jia Jianfeng, Sun Baipeng, Li Jiahua, Liu Weipeng. The “Double-edged Sword” Effects of Status Threats on Employee Boundary-spanning Behavior[J]. Management Review, 2026, 38(2): 186-196.

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