TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Belot, Michèle
AU  - Hakimov, Rustamdjan
        TI  - The Value of Bonding at Work: Evidence from a Field Experiment
        PY  - 2025/Jul/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 17987
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp17987
        AB  - This study examines the effects of structured social activities on workplace collegiality and performance in a large white-collar firm with 100 geographically dispersed offices. In a randomized controlled trial, half of the offices received subsidies to organize biweekly social events over a three-month period—including picnics, movie nights, and team games. We find that the intervention strengthens collegiality, enhances workplace friendships, and improves office-level performance. We do not detect an impact on individual productivity, but turnover appears to have fallen in the short-run, meaning that employees stayed longer in the job. We explore possible mechanisms and identify a sense of gratitude and reciprocity toward the company as the most likely mechanism driving the effects.
        KW  - bonding
KW  - climate
KW  - workplace collegiality
KW  - field experiment
        ER  -