Many of you have likely heard the buzz about the exciting new Organizational Neuroscience and Biology (NeuB) interest group of the Academy of Management. Founded just a few years ago, this interest group already boasts an impressive group of management scholars who are doing interesting work that is published in high profile journals. In addition, our group includes practitioners who apply neuroscience techniques and knowledge to the real world. It is a great time to clarify to potential new members what this interest group is all about, and how they may gain value from joining NeuB. In this message, we: (1) articulate the mission of our interest group, and (2) give examples of some neuroscience/biology-based research in management journals in recent years, and (3) provide testimonials from some of our members.
NeuB mission: The Organizational Neuroscience and Biology (NeuB) interest group is dedicated to using neuroscience and biology knowledge and approaches at different levels in organizations, as well as promoting linkages to management practice.
We encourage knowledge generation through theoretical propositions and/or empirical evidence pertaining to neural, physiological, and micro-behavioral mechanisms associated with work-related behavior and outcomes. Concurrently, the interest group seeks to understand how the environment, culture, and institutions can affect organizational actors' nervous system functioning. By considering neuroscience at different levels of analysis in organizations, we encourage interdisciplinarity and multi-methods research. We particularly recognize the importance of ethical considerations associated with the application of neuroscience and biological methods in management research, such as the use of biological sensors and other devices.
Here are some examples of research in NeuB that are just the tip of the iceberg:
2023 NeuB Best Paper Award:
Kim, J., Waldman, D. A., Balthazard, P. A., & Ames, J. (2023). Leader self-projection and collective role performance: A consideration of visionary leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 34(2): article #101623.
2024 NeuB Best Paper Award:
Barnes, C. M., Guarana, C., Lee, J., & Kaur, E. (2023). Using wearable technology (closed loop acoustic stimulation) to improve sleep quality and work outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology. 108, 1391-1407.
What some of our current members say:
Constant D. Beugré: I joined the NeuB Interest Group to connect with colleagues who engage in scholarship that integrates neuroscience to the study of human behavior in organizations. I have always believed that studying human behavior without understanding the functioning of the human brain is like studying our solar system while leaving out the sun.
Nir Milstein: I joined NeuB to connect with scholars who share my passion for organizational neuroscience. The interactions and discussions within the community have been fruitful, expanding my understanding of the field and helping me extend my professional network.
Frédéric Ooms: As an entrepreneurship researcher, I joined NeuB to engage with a vibrant community of scholars conducting multidisciplinary research that leverages neuroscience to enhance our understanding of organizational phenomena. I appreciate the friendly atmosphere of the division's events.
Georgios Christopoulos: I joined because I believe that Organizational Neuroscience is the key to addressing grand challenges such as wellbeing, population health, performance, adaptability to change, stress, and fatigue. These issues can only be fully understood by exploring the dynamic interplay between humans and their work environments
Danni Wang: I joined the NeuB group to connect with leading scholars in organizational neuroscience and biology around the world, and it has been an amazing experience. The community is not only full of knowledge but also friendly and supportive. Being part of this group has helped me learn about the latest research, gain valuable ideas, and build meaningful connections. The variety of expertise here has opened my mind to new ways of thinking and helped me grow in my understanding of neuroscience and biology. NeuB is a special place where curiosity and collaboration come together, making it a great community for anyone eager to learn and make an impact.
Sebastiano Massaro: With a background bridging neuroscience and management, I have seen both the disconnects and opportunities between these fields. Management often lacks neuroscience's rigor, while neuroscience can feel far from out-of-the-lab organizational realities. Advances in technology and methods have now enabled us to bridge this gap. NeuB was created with this goal in mind addressing that gap and deepening our understanding of human behaviors in organizations.
Sophia Jeong: Joining NeuB was an absolute no-brainer (pun intended). I have long been fascinated by the affective processes of morality, which are not readily captured with traditional methods. Discovering the new interest group in organizational neuroscience and biology was a revelation. It has been a truly special experience to witness and participate in the birth of a new field. But what sealed the deal was connecting with scholars who are not only passionate about their research but also incredibly cool and supportive.
Zhaoli Song: Biological approaches, including neuroscience and genomics, hold great promise for advancing our understanding of workers, teams, and organizations. This belief is shared by the NeuB community, and joining NeuB feels like coming home, as I have met many like-minded individuals here.
David Waldman: We spearheaded NeuB as a new interest group in the AoM in 2019 and 2020. As a leadership researcher, I had oftentimes asked the question, "what goes on in leaders' heads to make them think and act the way they do?" Organizational neuroscience gave me a platform for attempting to answer that question, as well as other questions, regarding the interface of the brain with organizational phenomena. In turn, NeuB provides a community to share in the pursuit of such knowledge
Laura Leduc: I wanted to learn more about the research being done in this area, which I find quite interesting! Also, I am a personality researcher, and there are many questions in personality that we can't answer until we better understand what is going on in people's brains.
Pierre Balthazard: My goal in helping to establish NEUB was to create a vibrant community that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing scholars to integrate insights from neuroscience, organizational and leadership studies. NEUB provides a unique space to address complex organizational challenges such as leadership development, cultural intelligence, global mindsets, resilience, and emotional regulation, while also promoting innovation and meaningful connections among its members. The growth and engagement of the NEUB network affirm that this SIG was indeed a valuable addition.
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Christopher Barnes
University of Washington
Seattle WA
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