Call For Papers: Yoga and Subjective Wellbeing at Work
AOM symposium, Boston 10-14 August, 2019
Symposium convenors: Kathryn Pavlovich (WMS) and Trish Corner (UBC)
There is a growing body of research suggesting that subjective well-being and performance can be enhanced through various self-awareness practices (Brown et al., 2007; Dand & Diener, 2000; Lyubomirsky et al., 2011). Initial empirical research from health and psychology indicates that self-awareness practices have many positive effects including improved judgment (Kiken & Shook, 2011), problem solving (Ostafin & Kassman, 2012) and academic performance (Shao & Skarlicki, 2009). The self-awareness practice that has been most widely examined is mindfulness (Dane & Brummel, 2013). However, initial research suggests that yoga has a strong influence on subjective well-being, possibly even stronger than mindfulness practice alone (Afonso, et al., 2017; Carmody & Bauer, 2008).
Yoga comes from an ancient Sanskrit word yug meaning "to unite", a joining together in creating a balance between one's internal and external consciousness (Vivekananda, 2005). Yoga is more than just the physical postures (asanas) focused on in Western society. It is a philosophy and belief system regarding how one lives a life of harmony in relation to our family, society and the planet (Dagar et al., 2018). For example, a set of yoga practices, the yamas, are the social codes meant to harmonise social relationships. We see further exploration of this link as vital because workplace spirituality is about enhancing community in the workplace (Hassan, 2016). Such connectedness is seen as an important resource for business in the 21st century by both academics (Corner, 2008; Gull & Doh, 2004) and practitioners (Pruzan & Mikkelsen, 2007).
The practice of yoga is often stated to promote physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Researchers have theorized about such mechanisms and outcomes (Corner, 2009; Corner & Pavlovich, 2016; Pavlovich & Corner, 2014) but these ideas remain uninformed by empirical findings and further conceptual research. Hence, we are seeking papers that explore how yoga influences subjective well-being and workplace performance in this AOM symposium. By what mechanisms does yoga shape practitioners' experience of work? What role does yoga play in workplace spirituality? How might yoga influence leadership and management practices in organizations? These are but a few questions that could be addressed by symposium submissions.
Our plan is to submit our full symposium proposal to a Special Issue for publication. Hence, we seek papers that will contribute to this symposium in the first instance. Our timeline is:
Timeline
- Abstracts (max 500 words) should be sent to the convenors below by Friday 26th October 2018.
- Successful abstract authors will be advised by Thursday 1st November 2018.
- Full abstract of 3000 words (including references) due Friday 14th December 2018.
For further information and abstract submissions, please contact both symposium convenors:
References
Afonso RF, Balardin JB, Lazar S, Sato JR, Igarashi N, Santaella DF, Lacerda SS, Jr. EA, Kozasa EH. (2017). Greater Cortical Thickness in Elderly Female Yoga Practitioners-A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00201
Brown, K. Ryan, R. & Creswell, J. (2007). Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry 18(4): 211–237.
Carmody, J. & Bauer, R. (2008). Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 31 (1), 23-33.
Corner, P. D. (2009). Workplace spirituality and business ethics: Insights form an Eastern spiritual tradition. Journal of Business Ethics, 85, 377- 389.
Corner, P. D. & Pavlovich, K. (2016). Shared value through inner knowledge creation. Journal of Business Ethics, 135(3): 543-555.
Dagar, C., Pandey, A., Navare, A. & Pandey, N. (2018). How yoga practices result in human flourishing. Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Chicago, 10-14 August.
Dane, E. & Diener, E. (2000). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55, 34–43.
Gull, G. & Doh, J.:2004). The "Transmutation" of the Organization: Toward a More Spiritual Workplace", Journal of Management Inquiry 13, 128-139.
Hassan, M. Nadeem, A., & Akhter, A. (2016). Impact of workplace spirituality on job satisfaction: Mediating effect of trust. Journal of Cogent Business and Management, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2016.1189808
Kiken, L. & Shook, N. (2011). Looking up: Mindfulness increases positive judgments and reduces negativity bias. Social Psychological and Personality Science 2(4): 425–431.
Lyubomirsky, S., Dickerhoof, R., Boehm, J.K., & Sheldon, K.M. (2011). Becoming happier takes both a will and a proper way: An experimental longitudinal intervention to boost well-being. Emotion, 11, 391–402.
Ostafin, B. & Kassman, K. (2012) Stepping out of history: Mindfulness improves insight problem solving. Consciousness and Cognition 21(2): 1031–1036.
Pavlovich, K. & Corner, P. 2014. Conscious enterprise emergence: Shared value creation through expanded conscious awareness. Journal of Business Ethics, 121(3): 341-351.
Pruzan, P. & Mikkelsen, K. (2007). Leading from a Spiritual basis. Asian Management Review, 2(1), 104- 112.
Satyananda, S. (1996). Asana, Pranayam, Mudra, Bandha. Munger, Bihar, India: Yoga Publication Trust.
Shao, R. & Skarlicki, D. (2009). The role of mindfulness in predicting individual performance. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science 41(4): 195–201.
Vivekananda, R. (2005). Practical Yoga Psychology. (Yoga Publications Trust. Bihar, India).
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Professor Kathryn Pavlovich
University Of Waikato Management School
Hamilton New Zealand
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