Tactile interaction norms and positive workplace touch

In order to gain insight into the psychology of positive tactile interaction in the workplace, this article proposes individual and contextual factors are both necessary to understand managers' touching behavior. Study 1 examines the extent to which a cognitive motivational variable (i.e., workplace touch self-efficacy) interacts with tactile interaction norms to predict managers' use of touch with subordinates. While both workplace touch self-efficacy and tactile interaction norms are found to be positively related to use of touch, the interaction of these variables accounts for additional variance in touching behavior beyond main effects. In Study 2, data from a separate sample of employees demonstrated that the relationship between supervisors' use of touch and positive workplace outcomes (i.e., perceived supervisor support and perceptions of a supportive culture) is mediated by organizational norms for touch in the workplace. The results are discussed in relation to tactile intelligence and future research.
'Why are people at work always touching me?' Elizabeth Bernstein, The Wall Street Journal, 2009 A common phenomenon that remains curiously unexplored is the use of physical touch among individuals [...]