Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/325045 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17987
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This study examines the effects of structured social activities on workplace collegiality and performance in a large white-collar firm with 100 geographically dispersed offices. In a randomized controlled trial, half of the offices received subsidies to organize biweekly social events over a three-month period–including picnics, movie nights, and team games. We find that the intervention strengthens collegiality, enhances workplace friendships, and improves office-level performance. We do not detect an impact on individual productivity, but turnover appears to have fallen in the short-run, meaning that employees stayed longer in the job. We explore possible mechanisms and identify a sense of gratitude and reciprocity toward the company as the most likely mechanism driving the effects.
Subjects: 
bonding
climate
workplace collegiality
field experiment
JEL: 
M54
J32
C93
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.