Purpose Grounded in social identity theory (SIT), this study examines how workplace incivility (WPI) influences job search behavior (JSB) among hospitality employees. Specifically, it investigates organizational identification (OI) as a mediating mechanism and workplace spirituality (WPS) as a moderating boundary condition. Design/methodology/approach Using a three-phase, time-lagged research design, data were collected from 348 employees working in hotels across the Indian hospitality sector. Moderated mediation analyses were conducted to test the proposed relationships. Findings Results from the moderated mediation analysis indicate that OI mediates the relationship between WPI and JSB, while WPS moderates the WPI–OI link. Specifically, WPI negatively influences hospitality employees' OI, which in turn increases their likelihood of engaging in JSB. Furthermore, WPS moderates both the direct effect of WPI on OI and the indirect effect of WPI on JSB via OI, suggesting that higher levels of WPS can buffer the adverse effects of incivility on employees' organizational identification and subsequent withdrawal tendencies. Research limitations/implications This study extends incivility research by conceptualizing JSB as an identity-driven withdrawal response and by integrating workplace spirituality as a contextual moderator within the SIT framework. Conducted in the Indian hospitality sector, the findings contribute to the limited non-Western literature on workplace incivility. Despite the time-lagged design, causal inferences remain limited, and the sector-specific sample may constrain generalizability. Future research should adopt longitudinal or experimental designs, examine additional mediating and moderating mechanisms, and test the proposed model across diverse cultural and industry contexts. Practical implications The findings underscore the importance of addressing WPI as a critical retention challenge in hospitality organizations. Managers and HR practitioners can reduce employees' job search behavior by strengthening organizational identification through respectful leadership, fair treatment, and inclusive workplace practices. Additionally, fostering workplace spirituality – by promoting meaningful work, a sense of community, and value alignment – can serve as a protective organizational resource that mitigates the harmful effects of incivility and supports employee retention. Originality/value While prior research has linked workplace incivility to employee withdrawal, this study advances existing knowledge by offering an integrated identity-based and contextual explanation of job search behavior in an emerging-economy hospitality context. Overall, the study adds theoretical and practical value by advancing understanding of the WPI–JSB relationship through the roles of organizational identification and workplace spirituality.
Vikram Singh Chouhan (Fri,) studied this question.