Cited by 525Job Satisfaction and Organizational BehaviorWorkplace Spirituality and LeadershipEmotional Labor in Professions

The contours and consequences of compassion at work

Open access
Lilius, Jacoba M., Worline, Monica C., Maitlis, Sally, Kanov, Jason, Dutton, Jane E., Frost, Peter·2008·Journal of Organizational Behavior

Abstract

This paper describes two studies that explore core questions about compassion at work. Findings from a pilot survey indicate that compassion occurs with relative frequency among a wide variety of individuals, suggesting a relationship between experienced compassion, positive emotion, and affective commitment. A complementary narrative study reveals a wide range of compassion triggers and illuminates ways that work colleagues respond to suffering. The narrative analysis demonstrates that experienced compassion provides important sensemaking occasions where employees who receive, witness, or participate in the delivery of compassion reshape understandings of their co‐workers, themselves, and their organizations. Together these studies map the contours of compassion at work, provide evidence of its powerful consequences, and open a horizon of new research questions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Crossref · 10.1002/job.508

Cites

78 of 78 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The effect of experienced compassion accumulates to leave a lasting trace on organization members.

    “Effect of experienced compassion accumulates to leave a lasting trace on organization members”

    From Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Lilius et al. (2008)

    The Discussion (page not supplied) says that experienced compassion may accumulate to leave a lasting trace on organization members. It presents this as a suggestion from preliminary findings, whereas the citing sentence states it as a fact. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Compassion is least frequent among those involved in the 'business of care'.

    “Compassion is least frequent among those involved in the 'business of care'”

    From Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Lilius et al. (2008)

    The Discussion reports that compassion was least frequent in direct patient-care units compared with administrative or outpatient units in the organization studied. The claim broadens that finding to people involved in the ‘business of care’ generally, which the paper does not establish. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Compassion is experienced with equal frequency among those who do and do not manage other employees.

    “Compassion is experienced with equal frequency among those who do and do not manage other employees”

    From Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Lilius et al. (2008)

  • Compassion is more frequently received from co-workers than from supervisors.

    “Compassion is more frequently received from co-workers than from supervisors”

    From Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Lilius et al. (2008)

  • Experiencing compassion indirectly may be as powerful as receiving it.

    “Experiencing compassion indirectly may be as powerful as receiving it”

    From Whither compassionate leadership? A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Lilius et al. (2008)

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

  1. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. J. Organiz. Behav. 29, 193-218 (2008) DOI: 10.1002/job 214 · DOI
  2. Kahn, W. A. (1998). Relational systems at work. In B. M. Staw, & L. L. Cummings (Eds.), Research in organizational behavior (Vol. 20, pp. 39-76). New York: Elsevier Science.
  3. Lim, S. (2005). Helping or hurting? The impact of supervisory support in the workplace. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Michigan.
  4. Rainer, J. P. (2000). Compassion fatigue: When caregiving begins to hurt. In L. Vandecreek, & T. Jackson (Eds.), Theory and clinical practice: A source book (pp. 441-453). Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.
  5. Riessman, C. K. (1993). Narrative analysis. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.
  6. Sandelands, L. E. (2003). Thinking about social life. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
  7. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. J. Organiz. Behav. 29, 193-218 (2008) DOI: 10.1002/job 216 · DOI
  8. Zaslow, J. (2002). Putting a price tag on grief. Wall Street Journal, November 20: Section D, 1.
  9. Zellars, K. L., & Perrewe, P. L. (2001). Affective personality and the content of emotional social support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 459-467.

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Authors
Lilius, J. M., Worline, M. C., Maitlis, S., Kanov, J., Dutton, J. E., & Frost, P.
Affiliations
  • Queen's University (CA)
  • Emory University (US)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Western Washington University (US)
  • University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Lilius, Jacoba M.
Venue
Journal of Organizational Behavior
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2008-01-15
Volume
29
Issue
2
Pages
193-218
ISSN
  • 0894-3796 (ISSN-L)
  • 1099-1379
OpenAlex
W2118184400
Cited by
525
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 46 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 18
FWCI
21.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Organizational Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • Deep Blue (University of Michigan) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Emotional Labor in Professions
Keywords
compassion at work, positive emotions, affective commitment, sensemaking, workplace compassion

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