A new study reveals that women establish deeper work relationships than men. This difference could have significant implications for corporate culture.
Women tend to form closer and more authentic work friendships than men, according to a study published in the journal Social Networks. This research, conducted by academics from Europe and the United States, suggests that women are more likely to befriend their friends' friends at work, which could be a factor to consider in workplace dynamics.
The study analyzed nearly 140 workers from a community development group in the United States, aged between 18 and 24 years. The results indicate that almost 30% of American women with college degrees report having good friendships at work, compared to only 20% of men in the same situation.
Andrew Parker, a leadership professor at Durham University Business School and co-author of the study, notes that men's networks could be more advantageous if they adopted a more diverse approach to their friendships. According to him, having connections in different departments, such as Human Resources, Finance, or Marketing, is more useful than having all friends in the same sector.
Furthermore, the study highlights that positive work friendships are associated with greater satisfaction, engagement, and productivity at work. This is especially relevant for companies, which could benefit from fostering stronger workplace relationships.
The information, reported by expansion.com, invites reflection on how differences in relationship-building can affect workplace culture and employees' professional development.
You may also like
