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We-experiences and the maintenance of workplace friendships: Being workplace friends together

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
  • Stefan Korber
  • Paul Hibbert
  • Lisa Callagher
  • Frank Siedlok
  • Ziad Elsahn
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/07/2024
<mark>Journal</mark>Management Learning
Issue number3
Volume55
Number of pages26
Pages (from-to)406-431
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date29/07/23
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

In this article, we are interested in how togetherness in workplace friendships is experienced in the absence of physical co-presence. We explore practices through which we-experiences, that is, shared experiences that produce feelings of togetherness, are realized and maintained across time and space and how different we-experiences constitute different modes of togetherness. Findings from our autoethnographic phenomenological study suggest four modes. Transactive togetherness as vivid and intense we-experiences in the face of tight deadlines but little genuine we-experiences at other times. Retrospective togetherness as re-lived we-experiences when shared memories or stories are retold, recalled, and ?brought back to life?. Associative togetherness as we-experiences that emerge in the light of immediate emotional and personal challenges that are addressed collectively. Projective togetherness as anticipated we-experiences that emerge from a compelling vision of each other in our work and personal life. We add to the current conversations on the continuous entanglement and interlocking nature of we-experiences, the temporality of togetherness at work, and how friendships are actively accomplished through individuals.