Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship

Ross School of Business

 
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HomeCenter for POSCore Faculty and Staff

 

Core Faculty


 


Wayne Baker
Wayne Baker’s research on Positive Organizational Scholarship began with an interest in how POS could be applied to network analysis and social capital. His POS-related research foci include (1) energy networks in organizations, (2) positive social capital and generalized reciprocity, and (3) values, religion, and spirituality. His latest books are America’s Crisis of Values: Reality and Perception (Princeton University Press 2005) and Achieving Success Through Social Capital (Jossey-Bass 2000) - chapters from both are available at www.waynebaker.org. Wayne’s disciplinary training in sociology keeps him focused on expanding POS beyond its psychological roots to a sociological approach to POS.
Web Site
For an updated listing of current POS projects click here.  
 

Jane Dutton (Co-Director)
Jane Dutton's research on Positive Organizational Scholarship began with an interest in compassion and the difference it makes for individuals and organizations (see www.compassionlab.com). Her research has expanded to focus on the power of positive relationships at work. Her most recent books include Energize Your Workplace (Jossey-Bass), Exploring Positive Relationships at Work (Erlbaum), and Positive Organizational Scholarship (Berrett-Koehler). Jane’s background in strategic management keeps her focused on how positive dynamics create sustainable capabilities in organizations.
Web Site
For an updated listing of current POS projects click here.
 
 

Gretchen Spreitzer
Gretchen Spreitzer's research focuses on employee empowerment and leadership development, particularly within a context of organizational change and decline. Her most recent work is looking at positive deviance and how organizations enable employees to thrive and become their best self. Most recently she is involved in a large scale project to establish the business case for how positive organizational practices can lead to human and organizational flourishing.
Web Site
For an updated listing of current POS projects click here.
 
 

Kim Cameron
Kim Cameron became interested in Positive Organizational Scholarship as a result of a decade of studying the consequences of organizational downsizing. Organizations characterized by virtuous practices—for example, forgiveness, compassion, integrity, trust, optimism, kindness—tended to avoid the declining performance associated with downsizing. Observing this effect led to a variety of empirical studies on the relationships between organizational virtuousness and organizational performance. This research has been funded by the Templeton Foundation and by corporations. Reports of the work have appeared in a variety of books—for example, Positive Organizational Scholarship (Berrett Koehler), Making the Impossible Possible (Berrett Koehler), and Leading with Values (Cambridge University Press)—and in a variety of academic journals and book chapters.
Web Site
For an updated listing of current POS projects click here.
 
 

Bob Quinn
Robert E. Quinn is interested in the process of positive change. He seeks to understand processes that lead to increased individual and collective capacity. He has published 16 books. Quinn is a fellow of both the Academy of Management and the World Business Academy. His recent books include Deep Change, Change the World, and Building the Bridge as You Walk on It. He combines both a research and an applied orientation. He has 25 years of experience in working with executives on issues of organizational change. He has been involved in the design and execution of numerous large-scale change projects. He teaches in both the MBA and Executive Education Programs at the University of Michigan and is known for innovative instructional efforts.
Web Site
For an updated listing of current POS projects click here.
 
 

Lynn Wooten (Co-Director)
Lynn Wooten’s interest in positive organizational scholarship began during her dissertation research. She studied the strategic management practices of professional service firms and the results indicated that humanistic work cultures were not only an efficient mode of organizing, but also resulted in higher levels of client service and human resource management capabilities. These humanistic work cultures emphasized interpersonal relationships, self-actualization and emotional well being, while simultaneously focusing on the attainment of organizational goals. Currently, her POS-related research explores three areas: (1) positive organizing routines; (2) diversity management; and (3) crisis leadership through resilience and organizational learning.
Web Site
For an updated listing of current POS projects click here.


Staff

 

Janet Max
Projects Coordinator

As projects coordinator for the Center for POS, Janet Max manages projects in a variety of areas, including event planning, finances, and public relations. She is responsible for design and content of the center web Site and edits center case studies and tools. She coordinates the monthly Positive Links speakers series and the POS Research Incubator, and plays a lead role in planning conferences hosted by the center. Throughout her career, she has enjoyed the special challenges of meeting the needs of organizations in early stages of growth and development.