Talking Back Stage: A Review and Synthesis of Informal Social Communication in Organizations

We review the literature (n = 184) on “socially oriented informal organizational communication”—informal, discretionary, social communication that occurs outside formal organizational channels and that does not convey information core to purposeful action—to synthesize existing work and present an agenda for future research. Although informal social communication makes up about two-thirds of conversations and is the “social glue” of the workplace, it is often treated as a disruptive or negative force and is a taken-for-granted part of most work activities. This “backstage” category of workplace communication is ripe for a review and synthesis: we have witnessed a proliferation of various forms of informal communication from a diverse set of disciplines; informal communication has demonstrated significant, yet inconsistent and even competing, impacts on employee outcomes; and some of the most significant workplace trends and disruptions are affecting employees’ “in between” interactions. This calls for taking stock of the conceptual landscape to differentiate forms, features, functions, and implications of informal communication for employees to help move the literature forward theoretically and methodologically. We discuss conceptualizations and dimensions of informal communication; present a framework to organize, unify, and advance the literature; and unpack how it influences inter- and intrapersonal mechanisms and production outcomes. We also extend this review and framework to guide directions for future research and practice.