The negative effects of delays in information exchange: Looking at workplace relationships from an affective events perspective

• Presents a framework for studying the effects of delays in information exchange
• Suggests how, why, and when delays influence coworker relationships
• Introduces propositions to guide research on information exchange delays
• Draws inferences for affective events theory and information exchange practice

Although timely exchange of information is critical to organizations, it often fails to happen. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for understanding how delays in information exchange negatively impact employee outcomes. Using affective events theory, delays are conceptualized as workplace events. In contrast to prior delay research, we adopt a temporal perspective for studying employees' experiences during a delay and how these experiences influence interpersonal behavior. We suggest that how employees appraise and experience delays depends, critically, upon the coworker and his or her behavior during the delay. We also identify a set of situational and dispositional factors that are important for predicting when delays in information exchange are likely to undermine coworker relationships and when they are not. Throughout the paper, we develop propositions to guide research and human resource management practice.