Workplace isolation: Exploring the construct and its measurement

TLDR

Virtual offices are increasingly common and can lead to social and organizational isolation, a two‑dimensional construct comprising perceived isolation from colleagues and the company’s support network. The study aims to develop and validate a self‑report scale for measuring the two facets of workplace isolation. The authors conducted a four‑sample study to create and validate the scale. The resulting scale is presented as useful for future research and management applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract Virtual offices are a growing trend in today's work environment and are expected to influence marketing roles dramatically, especially selling. These conditions may lead to perceptions of isolation, both socially and organizationally. Workplace isolation is a twodimensional construct that represents individuals' perceptions of isolation from others at work and includes perceived isolation from both colleagues and from the company's support network. This article reports the results of a four‐sample study to develop and validate a selfreport scale for measuring the two facets of workplace isolation. The scale's usefulness for future research and management applications are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.