Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Impact of Workplace Romance on Organizational Settings and Policies : Review Research


Affiliations
1 Research Scholar, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara - 144 411, Punjab, India
2 Associate Professor, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara -144 411, Punjab, India
3 Assistant Professor, College of Business, Department of Business Administration, University of Jeddah, Jeddah - 21577, Saudi Arabia
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Workplace romance has become a very common phenomenon in each and every type of industry. The goal of this study was to analyze the changing trend of workplace romance in the organizations in addition to exploring new factors leading to its formation and impact on organizational settings. This research also discussed about the various policies required in this context. A review research was conducted by taking into consideration some of the relevant studies on workplace romance (WPR). The findings of this study provided various new factors like attachment styles, psychological well - being, aestheticization of work, employees’ attitude about workplace romance, prior engagement in workplace romance, and conscientiousness, which provided a boost to WPR in organizations as compared to traditional WPR parameters like proximity, attitudinal similarity, romantic motives, and organizational climate. Looking at the impact, the study showed both positive and negative impact of workplace romance on the organizational settings in terms of employee performance, co-worker’s attitude, organizational commitment, and organizational environment. As far as policies are concerned, a list of suggestions is provided for framing a correct WPR policy to manage such relationships in an organization.

Keywords

Formation Factors, Organizational Policies, Settings, Workplace Romance.

JEL Classification Codes : M12, O15, O35.

Paper Submission Date: August 11, 2019; Paper Sent Back for Revision: December 10, 2019; Paper Acceptance Date: February 15, 2020.

User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Akhtar, T., Zahir, A., Tareq, M. A., & Mahdzir, A. M. (2017). The key motivating factors of employee retention: A resource based view. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 10(4), 33-48. https://dx.doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2017/v10i4/112770

  • Barrick, M. R., & Mount, M. K. (1991). The big five personality dimensions and job performance : A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 44(1), 1-26. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1991.tb00688.x

  • Belinda, C. (2017). Adult attachment and workplace romance motives : An examination of the association between romantic relationship dynamics and employee work outcomes (Thesis). Appalachian State University. Retrieved from https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Belinda,%20C_2017%20Thesis.pdf

  • Bhebhe, M., & Hove, E. (2016). Workplace romance : Rationale for human resource practitioners' intervention. A case of a local authority in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 6(7), 386-397. https://dx.doi.org/10.18488/journal.1/2016.6.7/1.7.386.397

  • Biggs, D., Matthewman, L., & Fultz, C. (2012). Romantic relationships in organizational settings : Attitudes on workplace romance in the UK & USA. Gender in Management, 27(4), 271-285. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17542411211244803

  • Binetti, M. S. (2007). Romance in the workplace: When "love" becomes litigation. Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal, 25(1), 1-20. Retrieved from https://scholarlycommons.law.hofstra.edu/hlelj/vol25/iss1/6

  • Campbell, J. P. (1983). Some possible implications of ‘modeling’ for the conceptualization of measurement. In F. Landy, S. Zedeck, & J. Cleveland, J. (eds), Performance measurement and theory (pp. 277-298). USA : Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

  • Clarke, L. (2006). Sexual relationships and sexual conduct in the workplace. Legal Studies, 26(3), 347-368. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-121X.2006.00020.x

  • Cropanzano, R., Weiss, H. M., Hale, J. M. S., & Reb, J. (2003). The structure of affect : Reconsidering the relationship between negative and positive affectivity. Journal of Management, 29(6), 831-857. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2063_03_00081-3

  • Digman, J. M. (1990). Personality structure : Emergence of the five-factor model. Annual Review of Psychology, 41(1), 417-440. https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.41.020190.002221

  • Dillard, J. P., & Broetzmann, S. M. (1989). Romantic relationships at work : Perceived changes in job-related behaviors as a function of participant’s motive, partner’s motive, and gender. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19(2), 93-110. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1989.tb00047.x

  • Ditzen, B., Neumann, I. D., Bodenmann, G., von Dawans, B., Turner, R. A., Ehlert, U., & Heinrichs, M. (2007). Effects of different kinds of couple interaction on cortisol and heart rate responses to stress in women. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 32(5), 565-574. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.03.011

  • Doll, J. L., & Rosopa, J. P. (2015). Workplace romances: Examining attitudes experience, conscientiousness, and policies. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 30(4), 439-453. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JMP-112012-0368

  • Dong, Y., Alonso, A., Esen, E., & Scanlan, K. (2013). Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey findings : Workplace romance. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/research/surveyfindings/articles/pages/shrm-workplace-romancefindings.aspx

  • Dudley, N. M., Orvis, K. A., Lebiecki, J. E., & Cortina, J. M. (2006). A meta-analytic investigation of conscientiousness in the prediction of job performance : Examining the intercorrelations and the incremental validity of narrow traits. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(1), 40-57. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.1.40

  • George, A. P., & Alex, J. N. (2013). Impact of workplace spirituality on corporate financial performance. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 6(9), 5-15

  • https://dx.doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2013/v6i9/60026s

  • Gray, E. K. (2002). Relationship quality in married and dating couples : Personality and behavioral predictors of relationship satisfaction, commitment, and performance (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Iowa, Iowa.

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. R. (1990). Love and work : An attachment-theoretical perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59 (2), 270-280. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.59.2.270

  • Horan, S. M., & Chory, R. M. (2011). Understanding work/life blending : Credibility implications for those who date at work. Communication Studies, 62(5), 563-580. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2011.58266

  • Khan, M. A. S., Jianguo, D., Usman, M., & Ahmad, M. I. (2017). Moderated mediation model of interrelations between workplace romance, wellbeing, and employee performance. Frontiers in Psychology. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02158

  • Kumari, N., & Singh, D. (2018). Impact of organizational culture on employee performance. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 11(6), 53-63. https://dx.doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2018/v11i6/128442

  • Levesque, J. D. (1992). The human resource problem-Solver’s handbook . McGraw-Hill Companies.

  • Lickey, N. C., Berry, G. R., & Whelan-Berry, K. S. (2009). Responding to workplace romance : A proactive & pragmatic approach. The Journal of Business Enquiry, 8(1), 100 -119.

  • Mano, R., & Gabriel, Y. (2006). Workplace romance in cold and hot organizational climate : The experience of Israel & Taiwan. Human Relations, 59 (1), 7-35. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0018726706062739

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2005). Attachment theory and emotions in close relationships : Exploring the attachment-related dynamics of emotional reactions to relational events. Personal Relationships, 12(2), 149-168. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1350-4126.2005.00108.x

  • Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., & Pereg, D. (2003). Attachment theory and affect regulation : The dynamics, development, and cognitive consequences of attachment-related strategies. Motivation and Emotion, 27, 77-102. https://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1024515519160

  • Mikulincer, M., & Nachshon, O. (1991). Attachment styles and patterns of self disclosure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 321-331. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.61.2.321

  • Mishra, U. S., Patnaik, S., & Mishra, B. B. (2016). Role of optimism on employee performance and job satisfaction. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 9(6), 35-46. https://dx.doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2016/v9i6/94960

  • Ouellette, J.A., & Wood, W. (1998). Habit and intention in everyday life : The multiple processes by which past behavior predicts future behavior. Psychological Bulletin, 124(1), 54-74.

  • Pierce, C. A. (1998). Factors associated with participating in a romantic relationship in a work environment. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28(18), 1712–1730. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1998.tb01342.x

  • Pierce, C. A., & Aguinis, H. (2003). Romantic relationships in organizations : A test of a model of formation and impact factors. Management Research, 1(2), 161-169. https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/15365430380000524

  • Pierce, C. A., Broberg, B. J., McClure, J. R., & Aguinis, H. (2004). Responding to sexual harassment complaints: Effects of a dissolved workplace romance on decision-making standards. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 95(1), 66–82. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2003.06.001

  • Powell, G. N., & Foley, S. (1998). Something to talk about: Romantic relationships in organizational settings. Journal of Management, 24(3), 421-448. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0149-2063(99)80067-1

  • Reilly, A. J. (1977). Robert E. Quinn. Coping with cupid : The formation, impact, and management of romantic relationships in organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2(3), 374-375. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/105960117700200311

  • Roy, P. (2012). Organizational culture as a predictor of industrial relations : A study of Indian industries. Prabandhan : Indian Journal of Management, 5(9), 37-48. https://dx.doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2012/v5i9/60268

  • Salmani, D., Taatian, A., & Hakiminia, M. (2011). A study on the consequences of workplace romance in Iranian organization. Academic Leadership: The Online Journal, 9(1) , Article 4.

  • Sidhu, A., Bhalla, P., & Ali, I. S. S. (2019a.). Impact of emotional intelligence on quality of romantic relationships: Review research. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 7(6S5), 1774-1779.

  • Sidhu, A., Bhalla, P., & Ali, I. S. S. (2019b.). Review research on dissolved romantic relationships at Workplace : Process, factors & consequences. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 7(6S5), 1780-1785.

  • Sowmya, K. R. (2013). Job satisfaction and turnover intention in organizations : A study across sectors in Indian perspective. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management

  • Sumer, H. C., & Knight, P. A. (2001). How do people with different attachment styles balance work and family ? A personality perspective on work-family linkage. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(4), 653-663. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.4.653

  • Sutton, J. (2017). Impact of workplace romances on coworkers and workplace climate. Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day. 108. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/elce_cscday/108

  • Tengberg, L. G. W., & Tidefors. I. (2016). Workplace romances : "going to work is amazing and really fun". International Journal of Psychological Studies, 8(3), 84-97. https://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v8n3p84

  • Verhoef, H., & Terblanche. L. (2015). The effects of dissolved workplace romance on psychosocial functioning and productivity of the employee involved. Social Work, 50(2), 287-310. https://dx.doi.org/51-1-448

  • Wilson, F. (2015). Romantic relationships at work : Why love can hurt. International Journal of Management Reviews, 17(1), 1-19. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12034

  • Wright, T. A., & Staw, B. M. (1999). Affect and favorable work outcomes : Two longitudinal tests of the happy productive work thesis. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 20 (1), 1-23. 3.0.CO;2-W target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1379(199901)20:1<1::AID-JOB885>3.0.CO;2-W


Abstract Views: 283

PDF Views: 0




  • Impact of Workplace Romance on Organizational Settings and Policies : Review Research

Abstract Views: 283  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Amrita Sidhu
Research Scholar, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara - 144 411, Punjab, India
Pretty Bhalla
Associate Professor, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road, Phagwara -144 411, Punjab, India
Afroze Nazneen
Assistant Professor, College of Business, Department of Business Administration, University of Jeddah, Jeddah - 21577, Saudi Arabia

Abstract


Workplace romance has become a very common phenomenon in each and every type of industry. The goal of this study was to analyze the changing trend of workplace romance in the organizations in addition to exploring new factors leading to its formation and impact on organizational settings. This research also discussed about the various policies required in this context. A review research was conducted by taking into consideration some of the relevant studies on workplace romance (WPR). The findings of this study provided various new factors like attachment styles, psychological well - being, aestheticization of work, employees’ attitude about workplace romance, prior engagement in workplace romance, and conscientiousness, which provided a boost to WPR in organizations as compared to traditional WPR parameters like proximity, attitudinal similarity, romantic motives, and organizational climate. Looking at the impact, the study showed both positive and negative impact of workplace romance on the organizational settings in terms of employee performance, co-worker’s attitude, organizational commitment, and organizational environment. As far as policies are concerned, a list of suggestions is provided for framing a correct WPR policy to manage such relationships in an organization.

Keywords


Formation Factors, Organizational Policies, Settings, Workplace Romance.

JEL Classification Codes : M12, O15, O35.

Paper Submission Date: August 11, 2019; Paper Sent Back for Revision: December 10, 2019; Paper Acceptance Date: February 15, 2020.


References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom%2F2020%2Fv13i5-7%2F153081