Studying How Everyday Communication Influences Workplace Experience and Decision-Making
Dr. Jeonghyun Oh, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies, researches how communication, or lack of it, shapes organizational behavior, employee motivation and workplace engagement. Her work focuses on how everyday communication processes influence how people experience their jobs, interpret their roles, and decide whether to remain engaged or disengage.
Oh’s central research question asks how communication shapes what people do at work, and what happens when communication appears to be absent or fragmented. She also explores how perceived silence, the way employees interpret a lack of information from leadership, can itself function as a powerful form of communication in a modern organizational setting.
Before entering academia, Oh worked as a television news caster in South Korea, where she developed an interest in social influence. Reflecting on her early career, Oh says, “And at some point, I realize that influence did not exist without communication,” a realization that ultimately guided her towards communication studies. Since then, she has pursued research driven by curiosity and evolving questions rather than a single narrow focus.
From Media Experience in South Korea to Research on Modern Work and Employee Engagement
Currently, Oh is working on projects that examine how employees manage traditional full-time roles alongside platforms. Her research investigates how communication shapes motivation, burnout and decisions to stay in or leave certain forms of work, particularly in rapidly changing employment environments.
Oh notes that workplace norms are shifting quickly, with organizations and employee alike trying to adapt to changing expectations. Oh’s research is especially relevant as it helps clarify how communication practices contribute to engagement, satisfaction and organizational stability during these transitions.
“My research helps shed light on these dynamics and the role communication plays in sustaining engagement,” says Oh.
While her research has not yet been widely translated into applied frameworks, it offers foundational insight into workplace communication and employee behavior that can inform future practice.
A key takeaway from her research is that communication is not simply a workplace tool, it shapes how people understand their roles, relationships and sense of belonging. Oh’s work highlights the growing importance of communication research in helping organizations and employees better understand behavior, engagement and decision-making in evolving workplaces.