INTRODUCTION
By
In today's modern workplace, where
interactions between colleagues are increasingly
common, the phenomenon of workplace
romance has garnered significant attention
(Wilson, 2015).. The dynamics of romantic
relationships within professional settings have
been a subject of interest for researchers,
organizational leaders, and employees alike due
to their potential impact on productivity, morale,
and organizational culture. Understanding how
individuals perceive and navigate workplace
romance is crucial for maintaining a harmonious
and efficient work environment. In the context of
the Philippines, where romantic relationships are
often portrayed in a highly idealized manner in
popular media such as romantic comedy (Rom-
Com) films, there exists a unique cultural
backdrop that may influence perceptions of
workplace romance. Filipino Rom-Com films,
with their captivating narratives and relatable
characters, have become a staple of
entertainment in the country, shaping societal
norms and expectations surrounding romantic
relationships (Bernarte et al., 2016).
Romance is portrayed in the media,
especially in movies, and this has been
demonstrated to affect people's attitudes and
actions in a variety of spheres (Kretz, (2019).
Due to their relatable characters and compelling
plots, Filipino romantic comedy (rom-com)
movies have been incredibly popular in recent
years. Slight research has been done, though,
into how these movies might affect how people
view office romance, particularly among those
who work in office administration.
This study seeks to explore the
influence of Filipino Rom-Com films on
perceptions of workplace romance specifically
within the domain of office administration. Office
administration personnel are often at the
forefront of workplace interactions, making them
particularly susceptible to the influence of
cultural narratives portrayed in the media.
examining the intersection of cinematic
representations of romance and real-life
workplace dynamics, this research aims to shed
light on how exposure to romantic narratives in
popular media shapes individuals' attitudes and
behaviors towards workplace relationships.
Through qualitative analysis of focus group
discussions and interviews, this study will delve
into the nuanced perspectives of office
administration personnel regarding workplace
romance. By examining themes such as cultural
norms, gender dynamics, and organizational
policies, the research will elucidate the complex
interplay between cinematic portrayals of
romance and perceptions of workplace
relationships. Ultimately, the findings of this
study will contribute to a deeper understanding
of the socio-cultural factors influencing
perceptions of workplace romance and provide
insights for organizations seeking to navigate
this aspect of workplace dynamics effectively
Romance in the workplace is a common
phenomenon and inevitable from organization.
When this romance occurs then dynamics and
impacts occur both positive and negative. This
impact does not only affect those who are in
love but also to the people around them.
Therefore, organizations must be careful in
formulating policies concerning this
phenomenon (Khalilzadehet et al., 2021). This
research tries to find out dynamics and impacts
of romance in the workplace using qualitative
methods. Subject of the experiment is
employees in one of the government ministries
who have experience in having romance in the
workplace and also the government employees
who have at least ten years of working
experience in witnessing the romance in the
workplace that has happened until now and the
Head of HR in the ministry. Result shows that
romance is a human right that shouldn’t be
banned unless it violates the social norms of
decency that apply here. Romance can bring
motivation to the people who have it but it can
1
bring problems when it doesn’t work or to the
love affair (de Munck et al., 2016).
Cultural and interdisciplinary
approaches to the concept of romantic love set
the scene in this chapter, covering the topic from
multiple angles. This chapter thoroughly
discusses the conceptual and operational
criteria for cross-cultural research of romantic
love as well as various realities of societal and
personal lives, in which romantic love functions.
In light of modern methodology, it establishes
the question whether romantic love is a
universal or culturally specific concept.
Additionally, this chapter hypothesizes the
possible effects culture can have on romantic
love ideas, mores, norms, and practices. An
interdisciplinary approach to the study of love
takes into account the valuable contributions of
various disciplines—philosophy, literary studies,
history, anthropology, sociology, psychology,
and communication studies (Blakeley, 2021).
Asian American narrative texts have
been adapted into mainstream romantic
comedies. I begin by defining several terms
used throughout my thesis: race, ethnicity, Asian
American, and humor/comedy. Then, I give a
history of Asian American media portrayals, as
these earlier images have profoundly affected
the ways in which Asian Americans are seen in
media today. Finally, I compare the adaptation
of humor in two case studies, Flower Drum Song
(1961) which was created by Rodgers and
Hammerstein, and Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
which was directed by Jon M. Chu. From this
analysis, I argue that both seek to undercut the
perpetual foreigner myth, but the difference in
sociocultural incentives and control of production
have resulted in more nuanced portrayals of
some Asian Americans in the latter case.
However, its tendency to push towards the
mainstream has limited its ability to challenge
stereotyped representations, and it continues to
privilege an Americentric perspective.
Office administration encompasses a
wide range of roles and responsibilities,
including administrative support, clerical work,
and coordination of office activities (Xu, 2021)..
Personnel in office administration often serve as
the backbone of an organization, facilitating
communication, organization, and efficiency
within the workplace (Rodas et al., 2021). The
nature of interactions and relationships within
office administration can vary depending on
factors such as organizational structure, team
dynamics, and individual personalities. While
some office environments may encourage
socialization and camaraderie among
colleagues, others may prioritize professionalism
and boundaries in interpersonal relationships.
Additionally, office administration personnel may
face unique challenges and opportunities when
it comes to navigating workplace romance, given
their close proximity to coworkers and frequent
interactions with colleagues from different
departments.
The Phenomenon of Workplace Romance:
Dynamics and Impacts
This section delves into the common occurrence
of workplace romance and its inevitable nature
within organizations. It highlights the positive
and negative dynamics and impacts associated
with workplace romance, emphasizing its effects
not only on the individuals involved but also on
those around them. The study aims to
investigate these dynamics and impacts through
qualitative methods, focusing on employees with
firsthand experience of workplace romance, as
well as those who have witnessed such
relationships. The results suggest that while
workplace romance can be a source of
motivation, it can also pose challenges,
particularly when the relationship encounters
difficulties. Furthermore, it argues that workplace
romance should be regarded as a human right,
though subject to social norms of decency within
the organizational context.
2
Cultural and Interdisciplinary Perspectives
on Romantic Love: Exploring Variability and
Influence
This section provides a comprehensive
examination of cultural and interdisciplinary
perspectives on romantic love. It discusses the
conceptual and operational criteria for cross-
cultural research, exploring how romantic love is
perceived and experienced across different
societies and personal contexts. The chapter
questions whether romantic love is a universal
concept or influenced by cultural specificity. It
also explores the potential impact of culture on
ideas, norms, and practices surrounding
romantic love. Furthermore, it highlights the
interdisciplinary nature of studying love,
acknowledging contributions from various fields
such as philosophy, literary studies, history,
anthropology, sociology, psychology, and
communication studies.
Asian American Romantic Comedies:
Sociopolitical Context and Cultural
Representation
This section examines the portrayal of
Asian American narratives in mainstream
romantic comedies, focusing on the
sociopolitical influences and cultural
representations therein. It begins by defining key
terms such as race, ethnicity, Asian American,
and humor/comedy, providing a foundation for
the subsequent discussion. The chapter traces
the history of Asian American media portrayals,
highlighting their impact on contemporary
perceptions. Through a comparative analysis of
two case studies, Flower Drum Song (1961) and
Crazy Rich Asians (2018), the section explores
how these films address and challenge
stereotypes and the perpetual foreigner myth.
While both films aim to subvert stereotypes, the
analysis reveals nuances in their approaches
influenced by sociocultural incentives and
production control. However, it suggests that
while Crazy Rich Asians achieves more
nuanced portrayals, its mainstream appeal may
limit its ability to fully challenge stereotypical
representations, ultimately perpetuating an
Americentric perspective.
Workplace Dynamics in Office
Administration: Roles, Relationships, and
Challenges
This section explores the multifaceted
dynamics of office administration, highlighting
the diverse roles and responsibilities
encompassed within this domain. It emphasizes
the pivotal role office administration personnel
play in facilitating communication, organization,
and efficiency within an organization. The
chapter acknowledges the variability in
interactions and relationships within office
administration, influenced by factors such as
organizational structure, team dynamics, and
individual personalities. While some
environments foster socialization and
camaraderie, others prioritize professionalism
and boundaries. Moreover, it discusses the
unique challenges and opportunities faced by
office administration personnel in navigating
workplace romance, considering their close
proximity to coworkers and frequent interactions
across departments.
CONCLUSION
This study has found that exposure to
Filipino rom-com films significantly influences
perceptions of workplace romance among office
administration professionals. The research
reveals that these films shape attitudes,
expectations, and norms regarding romantic
relationships in professional settings. The
findings underscore the need for organizations
to consider the impact of popular media on
employee attitudes and behaviors, informing the
development of policies and interventions aimed
at effectively managing workplace relationships
and promoting positive workplace culture.
Further research could explore additional factors
influencing perceptions of workplace romance
and examine the long-term effects of media
exposure on organizational dynamics.
3
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