Beyond Small Talk: The Impact of Inclusion Climate and Fun on Constituent Attachment Through Deep Conversation

Abstract

This study examined how informal conversations—both shallow and deep—impacted employees’ constituent attachment in the hospitality industry, along with the antecedents of such conversations. With a sample of 251 hospitality employees, our findings revealed that deep conversations, but not shallow conversations, were positively related to constituent attachment. In addition, an inclusion climate and workplace fun were positively related to deep conversations. Moreover, the relationships between inclusion climate, fun, and constituent attachment were mediated more strongly by deep conversations than by shallow ones. While prior research has generally focused on the impact of small talk, this study advances human resources and organizational behavior research by being the first to distinguish between deep and shallow workplace conversations, revealing their unique impact on constituent attachment, and highlighting the role of inclusion climate and workplace fun in fostering meaningful connections.