Table 3.
Themes and categories of thematic analysis.
| Themes | Categories | Category description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hierarchical limits | (1a) Fulfill relative roles (41 sources, 142 references) | Use or response to humor interaction is perceived to fulfill the relative role (superior/subordinate) of the interacting individuals. | ‘There’s this line (about roles). If you go over this line, it can be dangerous’ (Truscene) |
| (1b) Demographic division (24 sources, 84 references) | Humor interaction is perceived to create a division between demographic groups (age, organizational hierarchy, gender), by using humor differently or contents of humor used creating such a divide. | ‘Once I got told off by a passing-by manager for joking around with someone […] he asked who has the longer tenure, and only when I told him that we were only a month apart (in organizational tenure) he backed off’ (Truscene) | |
| (1c) Confucian values (14 sources, 26 references) | Workplace humor is perceived to be somewhat influenced by Confucian values | ‘How we talk is based on hierarchy. Hierarchy is based on Confucian values’ (Wisepath) | |
| 2. Being respectful and preserving harmony | (2a) Maintain sound relationships (40 sources, 105 references) | The use of humor is perceived to maintain harmonious workplace relationships, regardless of its actual impact on individuals | ‘Teasing and name-calling is similar to asking how your day has been. So I think saying things like this is a sign of care and closeness (by superior)’ (Mintrack) |
| (2b) Being respectful (20 sources, 45 references) | The use and response to humor is perceived to reflect a (Confucian-based) respectful behavior | ‘It comes from the traditional Yang-ban (aristocrat) behavior, being respectful to your seniors […] even humor should show respect, being rude cannot be accepted in Korean culture’ (Wisepath) | |
| (2c) ‘Good-is-good’ (21 sources, 32 references) | Any seemingly positive communication (i.e., humor) is perceived to help preserve workplace relationships | ‘You can’t spit on a smiling face’ (Mintrack) | |
| 3. Negative emotions | (3a) Feeling hurt and rejected (21 sources, 60 references) | Experience of humor creates hurt feelings or some form of rejection for the individual | ‘People keep on saying that I’m a stupid, but a nice person […] it doesn’t really feel good, but I do laugh it off... it doesn’t feel good’ (Mintrack) |
| (3b) Stress and discomfort (20 sources, 33 references) | Direct or indirect (observed) humor experience creates some form of discomfort for the individual | ‘It makes me feel anxious. Sometimes people overdo jokes, and it’s mischievous, and confusing’ (Mintrack) |