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Social movements can create profound change in social systems. These movements are often, however, based on grievances and use contentious strategies to achieve their objectives. This study examines two movements that were started using Appreciative Inquiry. These “appreciative movements” are contrasted with a typical, grievance-based social movement. Five attributes of appreciative social movements are proposed, and contrasted with contentious social movements. Appreciative movements are based on aspirations, not grievances; collective responsibility, not blame; use of instead of conflict with existing social structures; collaborative instead of contentious methods of change; and co-optation by the mobilized instead of by elites. These attributes show the possibility from positive forms of mass mobilization, and highlight the potential impact from integrating research and practice on social movements and Appreciative Inquiry.

This chapter explores the transformation that occurs during an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) summit through the lens of Rogerian client-centered therapy. The client-centered approach stems from the work of Carl Rogers, who theorized that humans have a tendency toward self-actualization, or that they can be trusted to move constructively toward the fulfillment of their inherent potential. According to Rogers, a client-centered therapeutic approach enables an individual to radically alter the self-concept and achieve transformational change, but only when six specific conditions are met. When these conditions are met, the result is generativity at the individual level as the client’s world opens up with new possibilities. Starting from the assumption that individuals and higher-level human systems share common elements as open systems, the opening up of the self-structure at the individual level can be seen as similar to the system coming together in a generative way during an AI summit. Rogerian theory and AI share a common set of underlying principles, and these principles guide the similar approach to change at these different levels. Here, a community AI summit in Worcester, Massachusetts, is viewed through a Rogerian lens in an attempt to shed light on how these conditions might also operate in higher-level human systems aimed at enabling generativity.

Traditionally, the main goal of empirical research has been to test theories. Yet, theory-testing is problematical in the social sciences. Findings from empirical studies have proven hard to replicate and there is a lack of progress in creating a coherent and cumulative knowledge base. There are both practical and epistemological issues that prevent effective empirical tests. It is difficult to operationalize constructs and design decisive tests of theories. The laws and regularities posited in theories in the natural sciences are independent of human actors, while theories in the social sciences describe systems and structures that are created and maintained by human actors. Nonetheless, human actors are sometimes guided by theories. They may change their behavior or make different decisions based on academically produced knowledge. This relationship is usually mediated by the use of tools of various sorts (i.e., design principles, diagrams, or stories). I discuss why scholars should conduct empirical research to test the pragmatic validity of tools that are derived from theories rather than testing the scientific validity of the theories themselves.

We propose a framework of positive design approaches that can be effective in creating quality systems. Quality systems are systems delivered on time, with high quality, effectiveness, and user satisfaction standards. The framework is conceptualized as a 2×2 framework, where the first (or y) axis reflects the way in which positive approaches are introduced into the group or organization. At one end of the y axis is the direct approach, while the other end represents the indirect approach, which is culturally embedded. The second dimension, on the x axis, is represented by invisible changes on one end, and visible changes on the other. Invisible changes are those that are unobtrusive in nature. We explore actual examples of design that made a positive difference in the quality of a group of individuals’ work lives and well-being through the use of messages, technologies, information, and shared views. We use verbal analysis as an intuitive, reflective, and interpretive approach to examine our own and others’ narratives of systems success to trace the linkages that support the notion that positive approaches result in positive outcomes for developers of information systems. We analyze stories about introducing positive memes; empowering decision makers through information sharing; encouraging an open source philosophy; and embracing positive metaphors to positively shape the users’ subculture. In doing so, we examine stories from systems researchers who have experienced positive IS design outcomes. Our contribution is to mine the linkages between actions designers take and the positive outcomes users experience; the suggested methods that designers can use to create positive outcomes; and examining specific examples where design methods used in a positive way contributed to positive outcomes for systems, users, the adoption of new technologies, and improved organizations.

This paper includes an examination of two key issues on price decisions: (1) how should price decisions be made (the strategic and normative issue) within market contexts, and (2) how are price decisions actually made (the execution and implementation of price decisions). The paper closes with some observations useful for applied research and strategies for making effective pricing decisions. The propositions and literature review show that one pricing strategy does not fit a brand in all market contexts that brand executives experience annually in managing brands. Setting specific price points requires continuing deliberate management responses to dynamic market contexts. This paper provides useful sense-making conjunctive steps to accomplish such deliberate thinking effectively relevant for different market contexts.