In his thesis, "Lonely in Company," Markus Oljemark contributes new knowledge about how loneliness is experienced in workplaces.

The thesis is a monograph, a qualitative study on loneliness, belonging, and the longing for recognition in the workplace. Markus wrote his master's thesis on remote work and physical isolation. When Markus began his doctoral program, it became a logical progression to explore the feeling of loneliness in situations where we are physically present with others, in the workplace. He collected data through interviews and surveys from 45 Swedish knowledge workers who have personal experience with loneliness at work. The thesis also includes a netnographic study, a research method used to study people's attitudes and behaviors online. The netnographic study sheds light on how people discuss loneliness at work online. The material has been analyzed both narratively and thematically.

The results show that perceived loneliness in workplaces can be paradoxical and contradictory, oscillating between a desire for camaraderie and individuality. It can manifest as both seeking proximity and social withdrawal. The thesis presents three different perspectives on why people may feel lonely at work: social alienation, self-alienation, and unmet expectations of recognition. In the latter perspective, loneliness can be reframed as a desire for greater recognition, which can lead to more effective coping strategies for initiating change. The thesis emphasizes that emotions can yield both advantageous and disadvantageous outcomes depending on the context. It highlights the potential constructive role of loneliness in promoting compliance with social norms and self-discipline, while warning against the dangers of excessive conformity, such as self-isolation and superficial relationships.

Markus Oljemark and supervisor Associate Professor Carl Cederström.

Using recognition theories, the thesis offers new perspectives on workplace-related loneliness, where it is not about being physically alone but about feeling unseen, unheard, and insignificant. Loneliness becomes a "passion for recognition," where passion can be seen as a strong desire related to an individual's self-esteem. The thesis discusses the possible role of loneliness in workplaces and how people's pursuit of recognition and experienced loneliness can contribute to both social order and conflicts within organizations.

Opponent Professor Peter Case, Bristol Business School, and Markus Oljemark.

In the end, Markus Oljemark believes that his research has brought new perspectives on loneliness to the table while expanding and deepening existing ones. By presenting alternative views on loneliness and highlighting how individuals handle emotions differently, he hopes that the thesis will serve as a catalyst for deeper discussions about loneliness, both in academia and in the workplace. Markus Oljemark defended his thesis at the Department of Business Administration on 15 September.

Examination Committee; Associate Professor Harko Verhagen, Professor Tommy Jensen, Associate Professor Cecilia Cassinger, Professor Thomas Lennerfors. Markus Oljemark, Associate Professor Carl Cederström and Professor Peter Case.

Read the thesis Lonely in Company: A qualitative study of loneliness, belonging, and the passion for recognition at work