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Enacting the Oak: A Theoretical and Empirical Understanding of Appreciative Organizing

Pavez, Ignacio
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5257-5330
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1481276844463336

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Organizational Behavior.
This dissertation is composed of three sequential and complementary studies, and focuses on extending theory in the field of positive organization development (POD)—an approach to organizational change that uses the power of positivity and appreciation to enable flourishing states in organizations. The guiding theme of the research project is the study of appreciative organizing (AO), which I define as a dynamic state of reflection and action that configures flexible—yet stable—patterns of interaction that enable the emergence of a life-enhancing collective functioning. I explore this phenomenon by conducting a team development intervention in ten construction projects teams—five of them implementing a traditional diagnostic approach (control group), and five of them implementing an appreciative process of team development. To build theory around AO, I used the principles of action research as the method for intervening in teams, and grounded theory methods for data collection and theory building. In Study 1, I explore the developmental mechanisms of an appreciative process of team development, in order to understand the effect of appreciation at the level of team interactions/processes. This study extends current theory by proposing an alternative way of reaching higher levels of group maturity and performance, where positivity—instead of conflict/problem resolution—is the main catalyst of the developmental process. In Study 2, I build a theoretical elaboration of a diagnostic (problem-based) and an appreciative (strengths-based) mode of organizing. This study extends current theory by illuminating the unique features that might characterize AO, and by proposing a path to integrate—at the micro level of interactions and narratives—both diagnostic and appreciative approaches. In Study 3, I explore the concept of flourishing as an appreciative process of organizing rather than an outcome or end state (i.e. a dynamic perspective). This study provides empirical evidence about the processes that distinguish AO, and shows how these processes allow the emergence of flourishing states at the level of a team. These set of studies are integrated in the final chapter of the dissertation, where I formally propose a construct of AO based on theory and empirical data.
David Cooperrider , Dr. (Advisor)
Stephens John Paul, Dr. (Committee Member)
Laszlo Chris, Dr. (Committee Member)
Peck Simon, Dr. (Committee Member)
Spreitzer Gretchen, Dr. (Committee Member)
Bright David, Dr. (Committee Member)
245 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Business Administration; Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior
Organization development, appreciative inquiry, group development, team building, positive change, organizing and sensemaking in organizations, grounded theory, collective flourishing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pavez, I. (2017). Enacting the Oak: A Theoretical and Empirical Understanding of Appreciative Organizing [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1481276844463336

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pavez, Ignacio. Enacting the Oak: A Theoretical and Empirical Understanding of Appreciative Organizing . 2017. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1481276844463336.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pavez, Ignacio. "Enacting the Oak: A Theoretical and Empirical Understanding of Appreciative Organizing ." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1481276844463336

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1481276844463336
203
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This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.