prof. dr. Marianne van Woerkom

Bio

I am full professor at the Department of Human Resource Studies, Tilburg University, Netherlands. The well-being and development of workers are central themes in my research. Inspired by positive psychology. I am intrigued by the question what happens if we take individual strengths instead of deficits or weaknesses as the starting point for developmental processes. I am member of the editorial board of Human Resource Development Review, Human Resource Development International and the Dutch journal for Positive Psychology. Currently. I publish my research in journals like Journal of Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management Review, and European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology.

Teaching

I teach the master's course Positive Institutions. In line with the third pillar of positive psychology this course broadens the scope to institutional and organizational factors that may impact the well-being and flourishing of individuals and communities. We will discuss the implications of positive psychology theories for institutions such as education, (mental) health care, and work organizations. 

I also teach the master's course Positive Psychology Interventions in Organizations. This course focuses on Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI’s) applied in the organizational context, referring to any intentional activities or methods that are based on (a) the cultivation of positive subjective experiences, (b) the building of positive individual traits, or (c) the building of civic virtue and positive institutions. 

I also supervise (master's) theses in the area of my expertise. 

Courses

• Positive psychology and development NL
• Positive psychology and development EN
• Positive Psychology Intervent. & Assess.
• Positive Institutions
• Positive Psych. Interv. In Organizations

Recent publications

1. Organisational policies and practices for the inclusion of vulnerable…

   Kersten, A., Woerkom, M. V., Geuskens, G. A., & Blonk, R. W. B. (2023). Organisational policies and practices for the inclusion of vulnerable workers: A scoping review of the employer’s perspective. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 33(2), 245-266.

2. Stronger together - A multilevel study of collective strengths use an…

   Meyers, C., van Woerkom, M., & Bauwens, R. (2023). Stronger together: A multilevel study of collective strengths use and team performance. JBR: Journal of Business Research, 159, Article 113728.

3. Employable until retirement - How inclusive leadership and HR practic…

   Gürbüz, S., van Woerkom, M., Kooij, D., Demerouti, E., van der Klink, J., & Brouwers, E. (2022). Employable until retirement: How inclusive leadership and HR practices can foster sustainable employability through strengths use. Sustainability, 14(19), Article 12195.

4. Paying gratitude forward at work - How work-specific gratitude can af…

   Kersten, A., van Woerkom, M., Kooij, D., & Bauwens, R. (2022). Paying gratitude forward at work: How work-specific gratitude can affect burnout through interpersonal helping behavior. Journal of Personnel Psychology, 21(3), 137-148.

5. Considering strengths use in organizations as a multilevel construct

   van Woerkom, M., Meyers, C., & Bakker, A. (2022). Considering strengths use in organizations as a multilevel construct. Human Resource Management Review, 32(3), Article 100767.