Development and Validation of the Emoji Questionnaire for Organizational Settings (EQ-OS): A 22-Item, Four-Factor Measure of Emoji Use in Professional Communication

Abstract

Digital communication has been a part of the workplace for a long time. Despite the fact that emojis are almost everywhere, there is no instrument which will help to understand the multilayered character of emoji this research project details the development of the Emoji Questionnaire for Organizational Settings, that assesses the level to which individuals in different work environments are influenced by different forms of emoji-based interactions. Initially, apool of 54 items from which 22 items were selected and given to a random sample of 412 working adults (average age 31.7, SD = 6.4; 58.3% female) who held various job ranks. The result of the EFA revealed a four-factor model, which explained up to 72.00% of the variation. CFA with 368 adults reveaded good modek fit (χ²/df = 2.14, CFI =.96, TLI =.95, RMSEA =.054, SRMR =.051). Cronbach's reliability coefficients and McDonald's omega both were in excess of.85 at all the level of the questionnaire. EQ-OS, the tool created from the research and its validation, is one with excellent reliability and validity as its basis, and it will enable the researcher and practitioner alike to probe deeper and understand more effectively through emoji-based communications.