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The Role that Humor Plays in Shaping Organizational Culture

Gunning, Barbara L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1101326392

Abstract Details

2001, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Educational Administration and Supervision.
Workplace humor has not been extensively explored in naturalistic settings to provide insight into organizational culture. The purpose of this study was to explore the role that humor plays in shaping organizational culture. A qualitative study using focus groups and participant observation was conducted to develop an analytic description of humorous interplay as it relates to such topics as identification and cohesion; influence, power and control; and conflict management. During the participant observation activities, workers of every hierarchical level were surreptitiously observed in small and large groups and their humorous interactions were documented. Focus group participants were randomly selected into one of five groups based on hierarchical level and job function. Participants were asked to share their perceptions, beliefs, and experiences related to workplace humor. The use of humor is purposeful and serves a number of psychological and social functions. Workers reported that they use humor mostly to reduce tension and stress; to entertain; to build rapport; to share positive feelings; and to illustrate a point. This was in contrast to what was observed: humor is often used to demean or insult others; to express superiority over others; and to transmit verbally aggressive messages. In some ways humor was created and experienced similarly by workers in all hierarchical levels, however, most of the time humor is perceived and experienced differently by workers in the various levels of the organization. Likewise, humor was often used to meet different goals depending on the rank of the worker. Many benefits to humor use were identified and few negative consequences. Humor serves to socialize workers to the beliefs, values, and rules of agency behavior, and once they have been socialized, it functions to maintain these norms. Humor is both a cultural artifact and a culture-encoder that is affected by and effects organizational structure and practices. Observing and interpreting humorous interplay was a fascinating way to explore this agency’s culture; however, humor cannot be used as the sole mechanism to learn about an organization. To obtain a complete picture other artifacts must be noticed and other tools must be used.
Jack Maynard (Advisor)
354 p.
Education, Administration
Humor; Workplace Interaction; Organization Culture; Educational Administration

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gunning, B. L. (2001). The Role that Humor Plays in Shaping Organizational Culture [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1101326392

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gunning, Barbara. The Role that Humor Plays in Shaping Organizational Culture. 2001. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1101326392.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gunning, Barbara. "The Role that Humor Plays in Shaping Organizational Culture." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2001. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1101326392

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1101326392
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© 2001, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.