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Purposing: How Purpose Develops Self Organizing Capacities

Boulos, Hani Nagati
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1512744639229305

Abstract Details

2018, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Management.
This dissertation explores and describes the role of meaningful purpose, mission, and future aspiration in effective and sustainable organizing. It examines Purposing-as-a-process: A collective, creative, inclusive and dynamic process that continuously gives life to collective meaning and aspirations. An initial study of twelve organizations led to the conceptualization of Purposing as encompassing five factors: competence development and recognition; autonomy support; relatedness and caring connections; meaning-making; and ability to tolerate uncertainty (CARMA model). The second study examined these five factors of Purposing, showing direct positive effects from each of the factors on innovative behaviors, organizational commitment, and passion for learning in the workplace. The third single-case study put texture to Purposing. Using a prospective theory building and future approach, phenomenological interviews resulted in six propositions and future aspirations that were consensually validated with participants. This is the first study—with empirical data from the real world—that studies and advances the concept not of Purpose, but Purposing. Organizations as living systems always need to be anticipating the future and thinking beyond the possible. Findings move beyond reifying and objectifying purpose as a “thing,” a “tool,” or a static event, and construe that Purposing is a relational experience—one that nurtures collective calling. The central contribution of this dissertation is a series of propositions for Purposing as a vehicle to foster intrinsic motivation that enables self-organizing capacities. Purposing, as a generative factor, has the potential to foster innovative behavior, organizational commitment, and a passion for learning.
David Cooperrider (Committee Chair)
Richard Boland, Jr. (Committee Member)
Ronald Fry (Committee Member)
Kalle Lyytinen (Committee Member)
Kim Cameron (Committee Member)
270 p.
Entrepreneurship; Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior; Systems Design
Purpose; appreciative inquiry; generativity; self-determination; intrinsic motivation; innovative behavior; organizational commitment; learning

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Boulos, H. N. (2018). Purposing: How Purpose Develops Self Organizing Capacities [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1512744639229305

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Boulos, Hani. Purposing: How Purpose Develops Self Organizing Capacities. 2018. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1512744639229305.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Boulos, Hani. "Purposing: How Purpose Develops Self Organizing Capacities." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1512744639229305

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1512744639229305
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.