My research interests come from a practical observation about the differences in relational behaviours from one workplace to another. There are organisations where people show care and empathy towards each other, and help each other, as well as other organisations where on the contrary even being polite seems optional. The question that derives from this observation is: how are these different patterns shaped in the organisational context?

Theoretical Framework

I draw mainly on three theoretical frameworks to understand the quality of work relationships (Dutton & Ragins, 2007, , Ferris et al., 2009, Colbert al., 2015): construction of morality at work (Sonenshein, 2007, Palazzo et al., 2012, Trevino et al, 2014), and sensemaking (Weick, 1995; Sandberg & Tsoukas, 2014).

Methodology

Inspired by Sonenshein's Sensemaking-Intuitionist model of ethical issues (2007) I developed a methodology able to cover different temporal, cognitive and social levels. I used ethnographic observations, interviews, filming, and questionnaires as different measuring tools in the context of a multiple case study design (Yin, 2009). I studied two organisations in France: one entity of a child protection agency and a communication agency, where I especially focused on three different departments.

Main findings

Findings indicate that the quality of work relationships is constructed as the right balance between caring for the work and caring for the other person. A typology of relationships has been created from these empirical investigations. It reveals that people consider that good relationships at work can comprise courteous interactions, convivial relationships, supportive relationships, and friendships.

Moreover, findings show that relationships at work are the site of conflicting responsibilities: between caring for the work and caring for the other person. The analysis of underlying processes reveal that individuals conform to collective behaviours and subsequently either make sense of the conflict, which creates a moral tension, or rationalise this tension and feel no moral tension.

Supervisors:

Marianna Fotaki

marianna.fotaki@wbs.ac.uk

Juliane Reinecke

juliane.reinecke@kcl.ac.uk