Chapter 2 The Use, Overuse, and Misuse of Affect, Mood, and Emotion in Organizational Research

Abstract

Affective phenomena have become increasingly visible in the organizational behavior literature. Definitions and differentiation between affect, mood, and emotion are provided, based on psychological research in the affective sciences. Yet, both theoretically and empirically, these three constructs are still treated interchangeably. Given the operationalization confusion, there may be more findings on discrete emotions than actually reported. The body of knowledge on discrete emotions, namely their specific functions, could be better integrated and would enrich organizational research. Consequently, the challenge of achieving clarity in defining and operationalizing affect, mood and emotion is discussed.

Citation

Tran, V. (2007), "Chapter 2 The Use, Overuse, and Misuse of Affect, Mood, and Emotion in Organizational Research", Härtel, C.E.J., Ashkanasy, N.M. and Zerbe, W.J. (Ed.) Functionality, Intentionality and Morality (Research on Emotion in Organizations, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 31-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1746-9791(07)03002-7