Abstract
Deviance and loneliness at work are two constructs, the public interpretation of which locates them as social and economic problems that risk wellbeing and productivity at work. In line with the dominant framing of these two concepts, the authors first examine the overlap between them, explicating how and why deviance and loneliness may be similar. Through exploration of academic evidence and framing of both concepts, they provide a typology of deviance and loneliness that flesh out both destructive and constructive interpretations of the two concepts with a view to identify behavioral patterns at their intersection.
TopUnderstanding Workplace Deviance And Loneliness
Workplace deviance and loneliness have been extensively studied (e.g. Brady et al., 2017; Foster, 2004; Promsri, 2018) in recent years. Although there is a more dominant tendency of considering the unfavourable effects of deviance and loneliness on workplace, a growing number of scholars claim that both loneliness and deviance may be favourable constructs that can lead to desirable organizational outcomes (e.g. Peng et al., 2017; Yıldız et a., 2015, Vadera, Pratt & Mishra, 2013; Warren, 2003, Brief, Buttram, & Dukerich, 2001). This study explores both destructive and constructive sides of these behaviors in order to provide a better understanding for their conceptualization where an overlap between workplace deviance and loneliness is considered. Therefore, we examine the interplay between these two concepts to offer insights into the archetypes at the juxtaposition of constructive and destructive forms of deviance and loneliness.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Deviance: The fact or state of diverging from usual or accepted standards and is usually of sufficient severity to warrant disapproval from the majority of society.
Archetype: A very typical example of a certain person or thing.
Constructive: Having or intended to have a useful or beneficial purpose.
Destructive: Causing great and irreparable damage.
Typology: Study or analysis using a classification according to a general type.
Loneliness: The fact of being without companions; solitariness.