Sarcastic emojis: why don’t you understand?

Abstract

Purpose Technology-enabled communication used in workplace settings includes nuanced tools such as emojis, that are interpreted differently by different populations of people. This paper aims to evaluate the use of emojis in work environments, particularly when they are used sarcastically. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a survey method administered on MTurk. Overall, 200 participants were included in the analysis. Items were contextualized from prior research and offered on a seven-point Likert scale. Findings Females are better able to understand if an emoji is used sarcastically. Additionally, older employees are more capable of interpreting sarcasm than younger employees. Finally, understanding of emojis has a negative relationship with frustration, indicating that when users understand emojis are being used sarcastically, frustration is reduced. Research limitations/implications This research is primarily limited by the survey methodology. Despite this, it provides implications for theory of mind and practical understanding of emoji use in professional settings. This research indicates emojis are often misinterpreted in professional settings. Originality/value The use of emojis is becoming commonplace. The authors show the use of emojis in a professional setting creates confusion, and in some instances can lead to frustration. This work can help businesses understand how best to manage employees with changing communication tools.