Fist Bumping: A Healthier Greeting Choice in Professional Organization Settings

• In Event: Organizational Communication Research Escalator - Extended Session

Abstract

The handshake is a commonplace greeting used in organizations, however, new research suggests that the handshake has the potential to transmit infectious organisms directly between individuals (Mela & Whitworth, 2014). Findings suggested that fist bumping transmits significantly fewer bacteria than handshaking or high-fiving, and the fist bump is now suggested to be used during greetings in the medical field to reduce transmission of bacteria between participants. This topic is one discussed frequently in the medical field; however, research in communication has yet to exist. Thus, there is a need to examine implications of introducing fist bumping as an official and professional communication greeting in our discipline. The current study seeks to explore the potential impact of incorporating fist bumping as an official, professional communication tool into typical organizational exchanges. As already suggested to the healthcare community, this study begins with perceptions of its inception in high-risk environments, such as hospitals.

Author

• Laura E Young, Butler University