THE EFFECT OF EMPLOYEE AUTHENTICITY ON WORKPLACE LONELINESS

Öz

Authenticity is a widely studied concept in literature, with a strong emphasis on authentic leadership and its impact on organizational outcomes. However, research focusing specifically on employee authenticity remains limited, especially in the national literature in Turkey. The purpose of this research is to fill this gap by exploring the relationship between employee authenticity and workplace loneliness. In this study, the effect of employees acting consistently with their true selves at work on workplace loneliness was examined. Using a quantitative method, data were collected via an online questionnaire from 373 white-collar employees working in the private sector in Turkey. Findings revealed a significant, negative relationship between employee authenticity and workplace loneliness, indicating that higher authenticity levels result in reduced loneliness among employees. Among the aspects of employee authenticity, self-alienation was negatively correlated with emotional deprivation. Moreover, age and experience were positively correlated to employee authenticity. The results suggest that employee authenticity significantly predicts workplace loneliness. The study's insights may contribute to organizations and professionals, particularly People and Culture departments by highlighting the role of authenticity in enhancing employee well-being, reducing loneliness, and fostering workplace relationships.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Authenticity
• Employee Authenticity
• Workplace Loneliness.

ÇALIŞAN OTANTİKLİĞİNİN İŞYERİ YALNIZLIĞI ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİ

Öz

Otantikliğin, literatürde yaygın olarak incelenen bir kavram olduğu, özellikle otantik liderlik ve örgütsel sonuçlara etkisine odaklanan çalışmalar yapıldığı görülmektedir. Ancak, özellikle Türkiye'deki alan yazında, çalışan otantikliğine odaklı araştırmaların sınırlı kaldığı görülmüştür. Bu araştırmanın amacı, çalışan otantikliği ile işyeri yalnızlığı arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyerek bu boşluğu doldurmaktır. Bu çalışmada çalışanların işyerinde gerçek benlikleri ile tutarlı bir şekilde hareket etmelerinin işyeri yalnızlığı üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir. Nicel yöntem kullanılarak, Türkiye'de özel sektörde çalışan toplam 373 beyaz yakalı çalışandan online anket formu aracılığı veri toplanmıştır. Bulgular, çalışan otantikliği ile işyeri yalnızlığı arasında anlamlı ve negatif bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya koyarak, daha yüksek otantiklik seviyelerinin çalışanlarda işyeri yalnızlığını azalttığını göstermektedir. Çalışan otantikliğinin boyutlarından, kendine yabancılaşma ile duygusal yoksunluk arasında negatif yönlü ilişki görülmüştür. Çalışanların yaşı ve deneyimi ile çalışan otantikliği arasında pozitif yönlü, ilişki olduğu bulgular arasında yer almaktadır. Sonuçlar, çalışan otantikliğinin işyeri yalnızlığının anlamlı bir yordayıcısı olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu araştırma sonuçlarının, çalışanların refahını artırmada, işyeri yalnızlığını azaltmada ve işyeri ilişkilerini geliştirmede otantikliğin rolünü vurgulayarak örgütlere, profesyonellere ve özellikle İnsan ve Kültür departmanlarına katkıda bulunabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Otantiklik
• Çalışan Otantikliği
• İşyeri Yalnızlığı.

Kaynakça

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