Mindfulness i organisationer - en studie av upplevda effekter
The idea of bringing mindfulness into organizations has become increasingly popular. While previous research has shown positive effects of mindfulness practice in individuals, consequences of introducing mindfulness in organizations remain largely unexplored. This thesis examines those consequences through a qualitative study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with members of two case companies. Based on the effects which mindfulness has been shown to have on individuals, our analysis was especially focused on the areas of efficiency, effectiveness and organizational culture. Our study shows some evidence of effects of the introduction of mindfulness in all of these areas. One case company had a significantly higher rate of participation in mindfulness training than did the other, and the effects of mindfulness were found to be larger in that organization. While mindfulness practicing individuals in both companies experienced an increase in efficiency, an increase on an organizational level only seemed to have occurred in the high-participation company. The same was the case regarding effects on effectiveness on an organizational level. We found some indications of changes in organizational culture: In the high-participation company, they appeared to affect the organization as a whole. In the low-participation organisation, they were concentrated to the group which had continued to practise.