Positive Psychology at Work:

Summary

In this chapter we have reviewed Cameron and colleagues' research into what makes flourishing organizations successful. We have considered how viewing the organization as a complex adaptive system helps us to understand how organizational culture is held in daily patterns of interaction, relationship and communication. We have considered why many attempts at culture change fail to achieve deep-rooted change. We have noted that any attempt at producing change is a moral act and needs to take place within a clear ethical frame. We have suggested that Cameron's work on flourishing organizations and Cooperrider's work on appreciative organizational change offer a suitable ethical frame. We have noted that Appreciative Inquiry in particular works in an affirmative way with the organization, recognizing it as a complex adaptive social system.