Avoiding lives of quiet desperation: the role of workplace friendships in disengagement

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Parkinson, A. and McBain, R. (2017) Avoiding lives of quiet desperation: the role of workplace friendships in disengagement. In: BAM2017 Re-connecting management research with the disciplines, 5–7 Sep 2017, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick.

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Abstract/Summary

We explore the role of workplace friendships as a lens for understanding the emotional element and relational context for personal engagement and disengagement (Kahn, 1990). Workplace relationships and specifically friendship provides the conceptual discussion of individuals in social and workplace roles in engagement, drawing on friendship, social exchange and attachment theories, particularly in Kahn’s work. The review of engagement theory differentiates personal engagement and continues to review relevant literature and theory, including attachment and social exchange theory. This recognises the role that workplace friendships play in enabling individuals’ to employ their ‘preferred selves’ at work and in supporting them in both engagement but also through disengagement. The paper concludes with a research agenda to answer recent calls for work on the social context of engagement.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Refereed:	Yes
Divisions:	Henley Business School > Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
ID Code:	72449
Uncontrolled Keywords:	workplace friendship, disengagement, relational context, engagement

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