University Informal Talk and Gossip: Building Trust and Social Cohesion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35307/saltel.v9i2.184Keywords:
Informal talk, Gossip, Digital communication, Trust, Social cohesionAbstract
This qualitative study examines the role of informal talk and gossip in university workplace communication among students and lecturers at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) and Telkom University Bandung, Indonesia. Despite substantial literature on informal communication in organisational settings, research addressing this phenomenon within Southeast Asian university contexts and digital communication environments remains limited. Guided by Walther's Social Information Processing Theory (SIPT), this study explores how informal talk and gossip occur and shape social relationships through both face-to-face and digital platforms. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 participants (ten students and four lecturers) and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: (1) informal talk and gossip as everyday university communication; (2) the influence of digital communication on their nature and spread; (3) their role in shaping trust and interpersonal relationships; and (4) their effect on social cohesion and sense of belonging. Findings reveal that informal talk and gossip are prevalent communication practices with dual social functions. While they can strengthen trust, deepen interpersonal bonds, and foster a sense of belonging, they may equally produce misunderstanding and social conflict when mismanaged. Digital platforms have accelerated information dissemination while increasing the risk of misinterpretation due to the absence of non-verbal cues. This study contributes to the growing literature on informal communication in higher education, with particular relevance to Southeast Asian university contexts.
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