Date
5-2011
Department
Communication Studies
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Chair
Faith Mullen
Primary Subject Area
Business Administration, General; Mass Communications; Psychology, Behavioral
Keywords
Coworker Relationship, Friendship Relationship, Narrative Paradigm Theory, Relationship Development, Relationship Maintenance, Relationship Strength
Recommended Citation
Johnikin, Ebonee, "You've Got a Friend in Me: An Analysis of Coworker Friendship Relationships" (2011). Masters Theses. 193.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/193
Abstract
Relationships between individuals fashion themselves in many settings and on various levels. Friendships are pivotal relationships that significantly contribute to social life, health and well-being, job satisfaction, and workplace interaction. More specifically, coworker friendship relationships are unique in their length, measurement, development, and maintenance as their formation occurs within mutually shared environments outside of family relationships. This study employed a mixed methods procedure to specifically examine these relationships. Three research questions guided the first study in an attempt to find if gender and length of friendship relationships significantly affect strength measurements of the relationship. The second study was guided by two additional research questions and employed Fisher's Narrative Paradigm Theory as a method for collecting stories on how coworker friendship relationships are developed and maintained. Data were collected from 51 participants by way of survey administration. From the 51 survey participants, ten participants were randomly selected to complete an interview. The responses were analyzed with regards to organizational settings--workspace, proximity, and commonalities.