Abstract
Humor is a contextual phenomenon that exists in all societies, although the impact of humor may differ across different cultures. The data for this research was collected using an ethnographic-based approach, incorporating participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Based in three different South Korean organizations, this research offered the opportunity to interact in depth with workers of varying ages, genders, hierarchical levels, and organizational roles. Humor styles incorporate both light and dark forms of humor that may be affiliative and self-enhancing or aggressive and detrimental or may contain elements from both styles simultaneously Observations were complimented by 46 in-depth interviews and ad hoc follow-up discussions. This paper adopts a Confucian perspective to understand the perception and use of workplace humor in these South Korean organizations. Confucian philosophy emphasizes the value of formality within society in order to maintain respectful relationships between individuals. We suggest that humor is used in these South Korean workplaces to support traditional Confucian values of harmony and hierarchy, and the changing cultural values in these workplaces influence humor perceptions in complex ways. The Confucian value of harmony maintained through the idea of hierarchy creates pressure for organizational members, to accept and cope with contentious humor in the workplace. In particular, the clash between the need to maintain harmonious relationships in the workplace (through obedience toward superiors) and the desire to reject some types of humor highlights issues for younger organizational members. Internal conflict creates distress for younger employees who may hold more Westernized values and this affects their emotional, psychological well-being. This study presents a cross-cultural perspective to organizational humor, and suggests that humor may not always be a positive experience for organizational members, but instead may create psychological distress in some employees.
Highlights
Humor is a common and important aspect of organizational interactions
Initial coding schemes for observations were developed based on humor and Confucianism literature. 17 coders were initially used to guide the observation process which focused on the hierarchical relationships, direction of humor use, types of humor, and emotional responses of individuals
This paper provides cultural interpretation to organizational humor and its influence on psychological well-being, within Korean organizations
Summary
Humor is a common and important aspect of organizational interactions. Humor is often seen as a positive phenomenon within the organizational context, helping to improve the quality of interpersonal relationships between organizational members (Cooper, 2008), dissolve unproductive thinking patterns (Minsky, 1980), improve problem solving techniques, and increase creativity (Isen et al, 1987). Modern South Korean (hereinafter Korean) organizations and its members display strong traditional Confucian values (Deuchler, 1992), where individuals are encouraged to use honorifics and emphasize hierarchical relationship structures in the workplace (McBrian, 1978). This influence of Confucian philosophy may affect the style of humor that is adopted, how humor is used, and how it is interpreted within Korean workplaces. This paper examines how the Confucian based values of hierarchy, formality, and respect, govern the use of humor in Korean organizations, and subsequently influence the psychological well-being of workers. This paper provides an original perspective into organizational humor within a Confucian context and presents implications for the psychological well-being of organizational members
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