Psychology Ph.D. Dissertations

When is fun "fun"? An examination of the effects of contextual factors on appraisals of fun in the workplace

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology/Industrial-Organizational

First Advisor

Melissa Keith (Committee Chair)

Second Advisor

Mary-Jon Ludy (Other)

Third Advisor

Howard Cromwell (Committee Member)

Fourth Advisor

Scott Highhouse (Committee Member)

Abstract

Increasing fun in the workplace is a widely touted, but little-studied, organizational intervention purported to improve a variety of employee outcomes, such as satisfaction, engagement, performance, and turnover. Some researchers have rightly noted, however, that “fun” activities introduced by organizations may not always be fun for employees or lead to the anticipated positive outcomes. The limited qualitative and conceptual work has identified several contextual variables surrounding fun activities that are likely to impact how these activities are appraised and experienced, and thus, whether they are associated with positive outcomes. This study utilized an experimental vignette design to investigate the effects of three such contextual variables on anticipatory appraisals of fun activities: voluntariness (i.e., whether participation is optional or required), those involved (i.e., whether other colleagues in attendance will be friends or acquaintances), and purpose of the activity (i.e., whether the activity is to benefit employees or the organization). Results from 403 participants suggest that both voluntariness and those involved have a significant impact on appraisals of events, as does participant extraversion and attitudes toward fun in the workplace. Despite limitations of vignette studies such as the potential for demand effects and lack of necessary context, the study contributes to our theoretical understanding of when fun is fun and provides clear guidance to organizations that fun is most likely to be appraised positively when events are voluntary and friends are involved, and by employees who are extraverted and believe fun in the workplace is appropriate. Future research should investigate other factors affecting appraisals and experiences of fun in the workplace and further explore the mechanisms of fun.

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