“I want to help but customers mistreat me”: the dual moderating role of prosocial motivation on the impact of customer mistreatment
基于压力-脱离理论，研究日常顾客虐待如何通过抑制晚间心理脱离影响次日主动服务绩效和自我损耗，并发现亲社会动机既加剧虐待对心理脱离的抑制，又缓解心理脱离抑制对服务绩效的负面作用。
Purpose Based on the stressor-detachment theory, this study aims to investigate the effect of daily customer mistreatment on proactive service performance and ego depletion, mediated by psychological detachment inhibition during the evening. Additionally, this study endeavors to investigate the dual moderating role of prosocial motivation. Design/methodology/approach A time-lagged, diary daily survey involving 74 participants over 8 consecutive workdays was conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings The findings indicate that the psychological detachment inhibition during the evening of Day t mediates the impact of Day t’s customer mistreatment on Day t + 1’s proactive service performance and ego depletion. Furthermore, although prosocial motivation was found to intensify the impact of customer mistreatment on psychological detachment inhibition, it alleviated the negative association between psychological detachment inhibition and proactive service performance. Research limitations/implications When employees experience customer mistreatment, hospitality managers should not only provide emotional reassurance and resolve any related issues promptly but also encourage employees to engage in activities that distract them and help them to relax and recharge, especially for those who exhibit high prosocial motivation. Moreover, hiring employees with high prosocial motivation is recommended for hospitality organizations to enable them to maintain high service performance. Originality/value This study focuses on psychological detachment inhibition during the evening linking within-person design and daily spill-over impact, enriching the mechanisms through which the repercussions of daily customer mistreatment extend beyond the immediate workday and affect individuals’ outcomes. This study also expands upon the existing literature by clarifying the dual aspects – both detrimental and beneficial – of prosocial motivation.