Management & Marketing no. 1/2008

Using measures of emotions to improve work climate, products and decisionmaking

H. Richard PRIESMEYER,
St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas USA

Suzanne D. MUDGE,
Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas USA

Abstract. Individual emotions can be measured and interactive patterns of emotions can be interpreted to provide insights about the emotional state of individuals. This article describes the merger of two disparate methodologies, one which provides the means for measuring emotions and another which provides for analysis of the complex patterns of emotions to produce meaningful interpretations. Traditionally, measures of emotions have been used in clinical settings for therapeutic purposes. In this paper we explore the use of measures of emotions for business purposes. Specifically we provide examples of how information about an individual’s emotions can be used to improve organizational climate, improve product design, and improve decision-making.

Keyword: decision-making, measuring emotions, nonlinear, product design.

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