The OWL Project is rooted in a humanistic approach to work life, where the personal worth and goodness of the individual employee is emphasized along with the central role of human values. We believe that the individual employee’s agency, creativity, and capacity to overcome adversity form the foundation for positive action, personal growth, and the attainment of full potential.
Consistent with such an intellectual foundation, the OWL project draws on appreciative inquiry as a key methodological approach for its research inquiries. In other words, as we conduct our studies and produce our papers, we focus on the best and wholeness in people and organizations, and we look to the strengths, possibilities and successes to generate our insights.
In terms of practice, the OWL project is directly linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal # 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. The focus is especially on “decent work” with “decent work” being interpreted as work imbued with a sense of meaning and wellbeing.
