Understanding and addressing loneliness in the workplace.

The details of this project are still subject to changes.

Loneliness is a growing concern in modern work and life, with profound implications for well-being, performance, and social cohesion. In the Workplace Loneliness Project we want to investigate loneliness from multiple angles, combining interdisciplinary insights, experimental and field studies, and large-scale data analysis.

Across five interconnected studies, we aim to: (1) synthesize and organize knowledge on workplace loneliness, (2) examine how playful work design and AI usage influence social connections at work, (3) develop and test interventions to mitigate workplace loneliness, (4) explore the broader interplay between employment changes and life loneliness, (5) consider the unique loneliness experience of leaders.

By integrating diverse methodologies and perspectives, we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of loneliness and offer practical insights for individuals, organizations, and policymakers to address it.

Study I

Objective: In Study I, we aim to synthesize interdisciplinary research on loneliness to provide a structured understanding of workplace loneliness. We aim to distinguish different types of loneliness, organize theoretical frameworks, and assess the current state of research.

Methodology: We propose a systematic review of literature from management, psychology, sociology, and medical sciences, developing a typology that differentiates temporal (chronic, situational, transient) and relational (emotional, social, existential) forms of loneliness. Additionally, we propose a process model outlining the origins, awareness, attributions, and responses to loneliness in the workplace.

Expected Contributions: This review establishes a foundation for future workplace loneliness research by clarifying key definitions, synthesizing theoretical perspectives, and identifying research gaps. The findings will inform both academic debates and practical interventions for mitigating workplace loneliness.

Study II

Objective: In Study II, we want to explore how playful work design—structuring work to be more fun or challenging—affects workplace loneliness through its impact on social interactions. Additionally, we investigate the moderating role of AI usage in shaping social connections at work.

Methodology: A diary study with 150 full-time employees. Participants report daily on their playful work design activities, social interaction quality and quantity, and workplace loneliness. Multilevel analysis will assess how fun-oriented and competition-oriented playful work design influence emotional and social loneliness. AI usage will be examined as a moderator, influencing how playful work design affects social interactions.

Expected Contributions: The study will provide empirical insights into how employees can actively shape their work to foster social connections and reduce loneliness. Findings will also inform workplace interventions by identifying how AI-driven changes in work environments influence socialization and well-being.

Study III

Objective: Building on insights from Study II, this study aims to test interventions designed to reduce workplace loneliness. We will compare playful work design-based interventions with another approach and a control group to determine their effectiveness.

Methodology: Conducted in collaboration with an industry partner, this study will implement workplace interventions and assess their impact on loneliness over time. A comparative design will evaluate whether playful work design strategies effectively enhance social connections and well-being in professional settings. Causal mediation analysis may be employed to examine underlying mechanisms.

Expected Contributions: The study will offer evidence-based recommendations for organizations seeking to foster a more socially connected work environment. By testing different approaches, it will provide actionable insights on reducing workplace loneliness through structured interventions.

Study IV

Objective: Lastly, in Study IV, we want to investigate how changes in employment relate to experiences of loneliness beyond the workplace, focusing on the interplay between work and life loneliness.

Methodology: Using longitudinal socioeconomic panel data from Germany, we analyze employment-related life events and their impact on reported loneliness. Advanced statistical methods allow us to isolate work-related effects from broader social and demographic factors.

Expected Contributions: By providing large-scale empirical evidence on the link between employment and life loneliness, this study offers insights into how work transitions (e.g., job loss, career shifts) shape social well-being. Findings will be relevant for policymakers, organizations, and researchers examining the broader social implications of work.

Study V

Objective: Building on insights from the multidisciplinary literature review (Study I), this study aims to develop and validate a typology of workplace loneliness specific to leaders. By focusing on the unique social and structural challenges of leadership roles, the project seeks to uncover how loneliness manifests among those at the top of organizational hierarchies.

Methodology: The study employs a two-phase mixed-method approach. In Phase 1, qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with leaders. In Phase 2, this typology will be quantitatively validated via a large-scale survey, examining its antecedents (e.g., leadership style, organizational culture) and outcomes (e.g., decision-making efficacy, well-being).

Expected Contributions: This study will extend the literature on workplace loneliness by focusing on an underexamined population—leaders.

Initiator

Jan Walsken is currently completing his PhD on play at work at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany. He has participated in workshops organized by the Academy of Management’s Journal, Discoveries, and Annals, and has published his first research project in the Journal of Organizational Behavior.

He was invited as a Young Scientist to the 8th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Economic Sciences where he applied with his research idea on workplace loneliness.

Interested in collaborating?

Organizations and researchers interested in addressing workplace loneliness are invited to connect with us via our contact form. We welcome collaboration and engagement from those who recognize the significance of this issue and wish to contribute to innovative solutions.