Introduction to Emotions and Values in Organizational Institutionalism

This Handbook explores the intricate interplay between emotions and values as vital forces driving institutional processes. The chapters collectively address the critical question of how emotions and values shape institutional processes and how these processes, in turn, influence emotional and value commitments. In doing so, the Handbook contributes to the broader aim of “rehumanizing institutional theory,” opening new conversations on the role of individuals as they navigate complexities through lenses of vulnerability, morality, and well-being. The contributions underscore the necessity for institutional theory to evolve in order to understand the multifaceted entanglements of emotions, values, and institutions. By pushing the boundaries of reflexivity, ambiguity and ambivalence, embodied and aesthetic perspectives, as well as the dark side of emotions, values, and institutional processes, this Handbook highlights the importance of considering both the constructive and destructive aspects. Such an integrative approach not only enhances the relevance of institutional theory in a rapidly changing world but also encourages a deeper understanding of the moral, emotional, and sometimes troubling landscapes that underpin institutional engagement.