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Improving worker morale through the use of appreciative inquiry

Mark Bechtold (MHR/OD Consultant at Aramco, Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia)

Industrial and Commercial Training

ISSN: 0019-7858

Article publication date: 1 February 2011

3975

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine appreciative inquiry (AI) as an organizational development approach that aligns with Arab cultural factors to address the issue of employee morale in an Arab‐led organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief literature review establishes AI's foundational theories and links with Arab cultural factors. An overview of the AI 4D model is then followed by critiques of the AI approach. The paper presents an application of AI to address the issue of low employee morale in a large oil refinery.

Findings

A literature review of AI and Arab cultural factors and initial findings of an AI application in a Middle Eastern Arab‐led organization indicates an increase in employee satisfaction and initially confirms a complementary link of the AI approach to Arab cultural factors.

Research limitations/implications

Critiques of AI center on appropriateness, repression of negative images, and unexpressed resentment. Despite critiques, a lack of dialogic discourse, and support from scientific research for this relatively new approach, AI presents a promising alternative to traditional problem solving and its inherent, often negative effects.

Practical implications

The sharing of stories as part of the AI approach served to bond employees to each other and served to instill a shared sense of ownership for the past and future success of the organization. The use of AI builds on the cultural attributes of Arab culture including high collectivism, strong family and relationship orientation, high context and narrative communication, low risk tolerance, prevalence of positive intentions, and homogeneity of the Islamic society.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight and support for using AI as an organizational development approach that complements existing Arab cultural factors for practicality and benefit.

Keywords

Citation

Bechtold, M. (2011), "Improving worker morale through the use of appreciative inquiry", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 43 No. 1, pp. 25-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197851111098135

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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