Informatics Publishing Limited

Namita Mohanty ¹, Sarita Mishra Kolhe ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, IN

Abstract

The aim of this review article is to highlight on the perspective, theories, research, importance and application of Psychological Capital (Psycap) for gaining competitive advantage for individuals, teams and organizations. Psycap is one of the core, pivotal constructs in the area of Positive Organizational Behavior (POB) and Psychology. This is considered as critical for the development and management of talent in an organization. Providing a more targeted and updated review especially on “HERO” the components of Psycap like Hope, Efficacy, Resilience and Optimism and linking Psycap to other organizational “intangible resources” such as team work, authentic leadership and work engagement has been quite a challenging task. As a higher order core construct, Psycap turns out to be synergistic. Psycap as a whole, is greater than the sum of its parts. The basic underlying theoretical mechanism connecting all the four components is a positive appraisal of circumstances, and probability for success based on motivated effort as well as perseverance. In more analytical terms, it is through the discriminant validity across the four individual Psycap capacities that each adds unique variance and becomes additive to overall Psycap. Furthermore, both conceptual developments and empirical evidence support the convergent validity of the four components of Psycap that meet POB criteria.

Keywords

Psychological Capital, POB, HERO.

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Sarita Mishra Kolhe ¹

Affiliations
1 IRS, Commissioner of Income Tax Department of Income Tax, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

Gratitude is the "parent of all virtues". Humanities researchers have linked scrupulous and socially acceptable behaviour with gratitude. Gratitude like other constructive emotion develops and builds the character, conduct and personality of an individual. Gratitude is considered as an indicator of morality, manifestation of behaviour that promotes morality and a reinforcer of morality. Gratitude once generated and practiced becomes a long-lasting skillset in an individual's repository for the expression of empathy, amity, kindness and affection. A handful of studies have highlighted that, organisations with workforce who experience positive emotions regularly, have more customer loyalty, less absenteeism, profitable sales and more gainful and rewarding financial outcomes. Recent works in Neurocardiology have found that while experiencing emotions such as frustration, angry outbursts or fear and apprehension, the heart rhythm becomes more irregular and chaotic indicating lower synchronism in the reciprocity between the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System. Whereas, experience of regular positive emotions were linked with ordered and cohesive display of rhythms in the heart, showing higher synchronicity amid the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System and a change in the equilibrium towards higher parasympathetic functions. By inculcating a condition of phsysiolgoical coherence, positive emotions like appreciation, love, gratitude etc. foster an inner setting within the individual which is favourable to both physical and emotional rejuvenation. Essentially, gratitude as a positive psychological concept has immense benefits and utility, which if learned and put to practice can significantly promote better relationships and effective adaptation to the environment.

Keywords

gratitude, mindfulness, human flourishing

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