Appreciative Inquiry in the Workplace: A Review of (Quasi) Experimental Studies

The objective of this study is to review the literature of (quasi) experimental studies on appreciative inquiry (AI) in the workplace. We present an overview of the AI approach, a summary of four main purported AI outcomes in organizations (generativity, engagement and performance, team-oriented behaviours, and virtuousness and flourishing), and a literature review of (quasi) experimental studies on AI in the workplace. Results of (quasi) experimental studies suggest that AI can positively influence team-oriented behaviours and performance, but may have no specific effect on generativity. Practical implications as well as avenues for future research are discussed.