An explorative analysis of the socialization of positive emotions: Insights from the consulting field

 

Stephan Kaiser ¹ and Gordon Müller-Seitz¹

 

Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Germany

 

Abstract. Common accounts on socialization are predominantly slanted towards cognitive conceptions. When emotions are considered, most of the time emphasis lays upon negative emotions. Against this background, this study refines prior research in two ways. First, we offer an emotion-oriented perspective of socialization processes. Second, we concentrate on the socialization of positive emotions. We confirm these assumptions by means of an explorative case study in the field of consulting firms. Results suggest that positive emotions play a crucial role throughout the different socialization phases, and can manifest themselves over time in a virtuous cycle. In addition, conventional notions on socialization agents are refined by this research, while arguing that clients ought to be taken similarly into consideration. The article concludes by offering managerial implications, as well as suggestions for future research activities with regard to the socialization of positive emotions.

Key-words: positive emotions, socialization, consulting, case study

 

Resumo. As perspectivas correntes sobre socialização apresentam uma visão predominantemente cognitiva do assunto. Mesmo nos casos em que as emoções são levadas em conta, a maior parte das vezes a ênfase é colocada nas emoções negativas. Contrariamente a este quadro, este estudo refina a investigação de duas grandes formas. Primeiro, oferecemos uma perspectiva do processo de socialização orientada para as emoções. Segundo, concentramo-nos na socialização das emoções positivas. De seguida, confirmamos os nossos pressupostos através de um estudo de caso exploratório no campo das empresas de consultoria. Os resultados sugerem que as emoções positivas desempenham um papel crucial ao longo das diferentes fases de socialização, e podem manifestar-se ao longo do tempo, num ciclo virtuoso. Para além disso, refinamos as noções convencionais sobre os agentes de socialização, ao mesmo tempo que defendemos uma inclusão dos clientes neste processo. O artigo conclui com um conjunto de implicações para a gestão, bem como com sugestões para futuros estudos relativos à socialização das emoções positivas.

Palavras-chave: emoções positivas, socialização, consultoria, estudo de caso.

 

 

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Full text only available in PDF format.

 

 

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¹ Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Stephen Kaiser, Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Auf der Schon, 49, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany. E-mail: stephan.kaiser.@kuei.deo!