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http://dx.doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2021.21.09.666

Fun Space or workplace? The Role of Humor in Navigating Work-personal Space in South Korean Organizations  

Kim, HeeSun (연세대학교 경영학부)
Woo, Sung Ho (오클랜드대학교 매니지먼트 학과)
Publication Information
The Journal of the Korea Contents Association / v.21, no.9, 2021 , pp. 666-683 More about this Journal
Abstract
Organizational humor is generally perceived as a phenomenon that helps to develop happy feelings and positive workspace. While humor may affect organizational members in diverse ways, the ambiguous nature of humor may create uncertainty and unexpected outcomes. In particular, humor used by and between organizational members in diverse organizational situations (including physical office context and work hours) may influence individual's perception of space. Findings suggest that humor interaction acts as a form of deviant behavior that diverts from work. This momentary non-work event (humor) may serve as a ritual to influence individual's perception of space, from work to personal domain, and vice versa. The quality of interpersonal relationships between the communicators may also be influenced by humor. This shift in the nature of interaction (from work to non-work) may lead to blurring boundaries of work and work experiences. Therefore, organizational humor may provide insights into how workers interact, perceive, and manage work and personal space within organizational contexts.
Keywords
Humor; Organizational Space; Deviant Behavior; Korean Workplaces; Qualitative Research;
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