A study recently conducted at Rutgers suggests that the role of ambivalent relationships in the workplace can have a significant impact on workers. Ambivalent relationships--also referred to as “frenemies”--exist between co-workers who can be both collaborative, but also competitive. These relationships can cause health problems like increased stress, high blood pressure, and rapid aging, but they can also contribute to increased creativity and productivity. Indifferent relationships can also be positive because they, while easily formed through technology and are therefore low maintenance, offer social support and can help with job performance or an emergency. Indifferent and ambivalent relationships are created by the emotional signals one sends.
See "Frenemies: How Ambivalent Relationships Affect Us on the Job", Steve Flamisch, Rutgers Today, April 20, 2017