Dedications

Jane Dutton
Jane Dutton is the Robert L. Kahn Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration and
Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. Her research focuses on how
organizational conditions strengthen capabilities of individuals and firms. In particular, she examines
how high-quality connections, positive meaning and emotions contribute to individual and
organizational strengths. Her research has explored compassion and organizations, resilience and
organizations, as well as energy and organizations. This research stream is part of Positive
Organizational Scholarship, a sub-field of management and organizations that Jane, along with Bob
Quinn and Kim Cameron, established in 2001. In 2002, they founded the Center for Positive
Organizational Scholarship, now known as the Center for Positive Organizations. Her past research has
explored processes of organizational adaptation, focusing on how strategic issues are interpreted and
managed in organizations, as well as issues of organizational identity and change.
In general terms and from your point of view, what are some of the defining features of positive
psychology applied to work organizations or what is called Positive Organizational Scholarship or
positive organizational psychology?
This is a great question to start out with. I think of this domain as about how contextual features of
organizations shape or affect individual and team flourishing. An organizational perspective highlights
the organizational context, and by context I mean things like organizational structure, organizational
practices, organizational processes; and the perspective works to assess how these features really
matter in fostering or inhibiting optimal human functioning or flourishing at work. Another defining
feature of an organization lens on positive psychology is that it encourages thinking about multiple
levels of analysis, so you’re not just looking at individual flourishing but you’re also considering dyadic
flourishing, team flourishing, unit flourishing as well as whole organizational flourishing. The breadth of
focus can be overwhelming because of the multiplicity of both contextual features to consider but also
different levels of analysis.
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