1 AIT Asian Institute of Technology

The Contribution of Humor to Work Performance: A Case Study of IBM Vietnam Company Limited, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

AuthorHuynh Vinh Phuc
NoteA project study submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (Executive) in International Business – Management of Technology (VN), School of Management
PublisherAsian Institute of Technology
AbstractThe era of industrialization, people tend to spend more time in work than the previous time. In an average, people spend more than two-thirds of their waking time for working. However, today, pressure and stress raises up rapidly in working environment which influences directly on the quality of employee’s live. Human resource is the most crucial asset of any company. Especially, the IT industry is facing with a serious shortfall of labors. In this particular competitive world, good employees are eager to jump from this company for another company where provides them better condition and benefit. Therefore, having a good strategy to attract and retain the best employee will bring competitive advantage for the company. Integrating humor in the workplace is a good way to create better condition, atmosphere for employees. To understand clearly the concept of humor in the workplace (the current level of humor in IBM, the positive effects and possible negative effects of humor in the workplace, and how to integrate humor to an organization) the author used both quantitative and qualitative to address those objectives. The author has used questionnaire survey and interview strategies to collect and analysis data. The result of the study revealed that humor is an important factor in an organization; it can be positive humor in increasing employee productivity, improving teamwork, enhancing motivation, reducing stress and employee turnover, and resolving conflict; it can be unproductive humor by creating negative atmosphere in the workplace. Thus, managers and employers should seriously consider humor as a major management tool. And before integrating humor to the organization, firstly, managers should understand the level of humor in their organization. Evaluating that level of humor, is it appropriate with the organization. Then start to plan carefully how to add humor to the team; to train employees how to develop positive humor and avoid negative humor.
Year2014
TypeProject
SchoolSchool of Management (SOM)
DepartmentOther Field of Studies (No Department)
Academic Program/FoSMaster of Business Administration (Executive) in International Business - Management of Technology (VN/BKK))
Chairperson(s)Claes, Marie-Therese;
Examination Committee(s)Igel, Barbara;Patchara Popaitoon;


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