About Me
I am Assistant Professor in the area of Organizational Communication at the Faculty of Behavioural, Management, and Social Sciences of the University of Twente, the Netherlands. In October 2015, I received my Ph.D. degree (Cum Laude) for my dissertation entitled "A Self-Determination Theory Perspective on Mentoring Relationships at Work."
In my qualitative studies, I study how communication processes in organizations can contribute to employees' motivation and optimal functioning. I am especially interested into how work relationships and technology use can contribute to more fulfilling work environments. Therefore, I qualitatively explore topics including employee communication, basic need-fulfillment (coming from Self-Determination Theory), technology use and experience, and social practices surrounding technology use.
From 2019 onwards, I will be working on my Veni project "A robot as a colleague," in which I will be investigating employees’ experiences in working with robots, specifically in relation to employee motivation. Besides individual experiences and strategies to optimally work with the robot, this project investigates the social context of robot use in organizations.
Expertise
Organizations
Research
I study how employees’ professional development, motivation, and thriving are affected by their organizational environment. My qualitative approaches focus on theory building in the context of self-determination theory and basic need-fulfillment in organizations.
During my Ph.D. research, I focused on the role of mentoring relationships and developmental networks in employees’ professional development. Therefore, I interviewed protégés, mentors, dyads of mentors and protégés, and co-workers in their direct work environment. My studies showed how self-determination theory is a relevant framework for understanding mentoring processes. From a basic need-fulfillment perspective, my qualitative studies provided more insight into the role of need-fulfillment processes in interpersonal relationships. This resulted in several key publications in major journals in the fields of management and organizational behavior.
My current research focuses on understanding the ongoing impact of technologies on organizations. An important aspect is to understand the relevance of technology to employees and to examine how they experience those technologies and put them into practice. The question of how technologies can contribute to employees' basic need-fulfillment in work environments is central to my research interests.
From 2019 onwards, I will be working on my Veni project "A robot as a colleague," in which I will be investigating employees’ experiences in working with robots, specifically in relation to employee motivation. Besides individual experiences and strategies to optimally work with the robot, this project investigates the social context of robot use in organizations.
Publications
UT Research Information System
Google Scholar Link
Education
Affiliated Study Programmes
Bachelor
Master
Courses
Projects
Veni project (2019 - 2022): Working Life in the Robot Age: Employees’ Experiences in Working with Robots
As robots become more and more advanced and integrated into working life, it is important to understand their impact on employees. This project is a first critical step in addressing this challenge by investigating how employees integrate robots in their work and how working with robots is linked to fundamental processes of employee motivation and well-being. It will also examine the mutual shaping of human-robot collaborations and social practices in organizations (e.g., collaboration, communication).
Contact Details
Visiting Address
University of Twente
Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Cubicus
(building no. 41), room C204
De Zul 10
7522NJ Enschede
The Netherlands
Mailing Address
University of Twente
Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Cubicus
C204
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
The Netherlands