Special issue of Organizational Dynamics on Positive Organizing

By Kim Cameron & Gretchen Spreitzer

In April 2012, the journal Organizational Dynamics will highlight a special issue on “Applying a POS Lens to Bring out the Best in Organizations.”  The purpose of the special issue is to make a compelling case for why organizations should care about POS, especially amidst trying times.  Following the successful publication of the Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship in 2012 for academic audiences, the special issue makes a turn toward the world of practice.  We wanted executives, managers, and employees to see the value of POS for everyday work life.  Each of these articles provides a window into how POS practices can be a generative force for organizations, whether in the world of business or beyond.

The special issue offers a brief primer on POS to provide readers with a common foundation.  Each article then offers a specific real-world focus on how POS makes a difference in the world—from making life more meaning for individuals to improving the bottom line of organizations. Articles in the special issue focus on a range of topics including:

• Initial speculation on what positive business means (Spreitzer & Cameron)
• Post-death positive organizing (Walsh & Bartunek)
• Applications of POS at Prudential Real Estate—an interview with CEO Jim Mallozzi (Cameron & Plews)
• Appreciative inquiry for bringing out the best in human enterprises (Cooperrider)
• Realizing organizational potential through activating conversations (Heynoski & Quinn)
• Sustainable business through hybrid organizations (Haigh & Hoffman)
• Positive organizing at Rocky Flats (Lavine & Cameron)
• The power of mindful engagement (Ashford & DeRue)
• Human sustainability through thriving (Spreitzer, Porath, & Gibson)
• Mindful negotiating in careers (Kopelman, Feldman, McDaniel, & Hall)

We expect the special issue to provide a “go to” place for practitioners wanting to learn more about POS and its application.