Work as a Source of Positive Emotional Experiences and the Discourses Informing Positive Assessment

Abstract

This study updates and extends current understandings of the organizational experiences likely to evoke positive emotions by examining 835 U.S. employees' responses of their best workplace experiences. Responses included 17 positive experiences (recognition, relationships, reward, autonomy, appreciation, success, supervisor/mentor, climate, opportunity, teamwork, resources, altruistic work, voice, social support, flexibility, challenge, and triumph) that typified five social discourses (power–empowerment, individualism–uniqueness, success–accomplishment, belonging–affiliation, and safety–security). Employee responses underscore the idea that the experiences at work evoking positive emotions are predominantly social (positive affective responses to others) and rooted in social, historical discourses or systems of meaning.

Keywords:

• Job Satisfaction
• Organizational Communication
• Positive Emotions
• Positive Organizational Scholarship
• Positive Organizing

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the University of New Mexico for the funding that supported this project and the reviewers and editor for feedback improving the article. An earlier version of this essay was presented at the 2009 National Communication Association Annual Convention where it earned a Top Paper Award in the Organizational Communication Division.

Notes

*Indicates percentage of 835 respondents' experiences.

The StudyResponse project is a paid sampling service of Syracuse University, facilitates sampling for many university studies and, as such, is not a collaborator or subcontractor in this study (StudyResponse disclaimer). The service simply sends an electronic message with a link to the study's online survey posted with Survey Monkey to respondents who have agreed to participate in online social science research. As an incentive, respondents' names are placed in a drawing for gift certificates from Amazon and other online retailers. The service protects respondent identity; respondents are identified by a unique, anonymous ID, which they enter when beginning the survey. For an in-depth explanation of the sampling service, see studyresponse.com.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pamela Lutgen-Sandvik

Pamela Lutgen-Sandvik (PhD, Arizona State University) is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico.

Sarah Riforgiate

Sarah Riforgiate is a doctoral student at Arizona State University's Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.

Courtney Fletcher

Courtney Fletcher (PhD, University of New Mexico) is Assistant Professor at the University of Portland's Communication Studies.