Relationship Splintering and Repair: The Dynamics of Marginalization in Organizations

Drawing on a study of Syrian refugees engaged in informal work in Turkey, we examine how and why workplace relationships of marginalized groups break down and, in some cases, may be repaired. We develop a process model to explain the concept of relationship splintering—the gradual and recursive deterioration of relationships. We identify degrading, silencing, and distancing as key organizational mechanisms of splintering. These mechanisms are triggered by an attribution of blame and collectively constitute a system of organizational dehumanization. Over time, these mechanisms may cause complete relationship fracture, or, under certain conditions, be reversed to enable repair. Our work offers a more dynamic understanding of relationship processes extending theories of workplace marginalization. We also contribute to the literature on refugee workforce integration by foregrounding integration as a relational and processual phenomenon in organizational contexts characterized by structural inequality.