Emotions in Organization Theory

Provides one of the first broad examinations of emotions in organization theory and outlines suggestions for future research.

In organization theory, emotions have been treated implicitly rather than theorized directly. This Element provides one of the first broad examinations of emotions in organization theory. It outlines suggestions for future research within each literature and looks across the literatures to identify theoretical and methodological considerations.Emotions are central to social life and thus they should be central to organization theory. However, emotions have been treated implicitly rather than theorized directly in much of organization theory, and in some literatures, have been ignored altogether. This Element focuses on emotions as intersubjective, collective and relational, and reviews structuralist, people-centered and strategic approaches to emotions in different research streams to provide one of the first broad examinations of emotions in organization theory. Charlene Zietsma, Maxim Voronov, Madeline Toubiana and Anna Roberts provide suggestions for future research within each literature and look across the literatures to identify theoretical and methodological considerations.