{"id":9863,"date":"2024-08-06T16:34:18","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T20:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/questrom\/profiles\/william-kahn\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T15:47:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T19:47:10","slug":"william-kahn","status":"publish","type":"profiles","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/questrom\/profiles\/william-kahn\/","title":{"rendered":"William Kahn"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull profile__standard-wrapper has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns profile__columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column profile__left-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-3bd72ab2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><figure class=\"profile__image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"William Kahn\" style=\"object-fit:contain\" class=\"wp-post-image\" src=\"http:\/\/questromapps.bu.edu\/images\/facstaff\/KahnWilliam.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<aside class=\"profile__contact profile__contact--api wp-block-amp-profile-contact\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\">\n  <h5>Contact<\/h5>\n  <div class=\"profile__contact-row\">\n          <div class=\"profile__contact-cell profile__contact-cell--phone\">\n        <h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-h-8-font-size\" style=\"font-weight: 500; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 0px;\">\n        Phone\n      <\/h6>\n      <p class=\"has-p-2-font-size\" itemprop=\"telephone\">\n        617-353-2680      <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n              <div class=\"profile__contact-cell profile__contact-cell--email\">\n        <h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-h-8-font-size\" style=\"font-weight: 500; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 0px;\">\n        Email\n      <\/h6>\n      <p class=\"has-p-2-font-size\">\n        <a href=\"mailto:wkahn@bu.edu\" itemprop=\"email\">\n          wkahn@bu.edu        <\/a>\n      <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"profile__contact-buttons\">\n              <div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary-button\">\n          <a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/questromapps.bu.edu\/faculty\/uploadFiles\/cvUploadsProfile\/MO_Kahn_William_CV.pdf\">\n            Download CV\n          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"profile__contact-row\">\n\n              <div class=\"profile__contact-cell profile__contact-cell--office\">\n          <h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-h-8-font-size\" style=\"font-weight: 500; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 0px;\">\n          Office\n        <\/h6>\n        <p class=\"has-p-2-font-size\" itemprop=\"workLocation\">\n          653        <\/p>\n      <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"profile__contact-cell profile__contact-cell--bu\">\n          <h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-h-8-font-size\" style=\"font-weight: 500; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: 0px\">\n            Boston University <br \/>\n            Questrom School of Business\n          <\/h6>\n                        <p class=\"has-p-2-font-size\" itemprop=\"address\">\n                Rafik B. Hariri Building <br \/>\n                595 Commonwealth Avenue <br \/>\n                Boston, MA 02215\n              <\/p>\n                  <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/aside><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column profile__right-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-3bd72ab2 wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__header-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7db9d80f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__header-content has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title\">William Kahn<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-amp-profile-position\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-text-transform-uppercase has-p-2-font-size\" style=\"text-transform: uppercase; font-weight: 600\">\n\t\t\tProfessor, Management &amp; Organizations\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-amp-profile-data profile-data\"><div class=\"wp-block-group profile__data-section has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-block-amp-profile-education\">\n\t<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-weight: 500\">\n\tEducation\t<\/h5>\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__data-row has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t\t<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">PhD, Yale University, 1987<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">MS, Yale University, 1983<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">BA, Clark University, 1981<\/p>\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__data-section has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-block-amp-profile-presentations\">\n\t<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-weight: 500\">\n\tSelected Research Presentations\t<\/h5>\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__data-row has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t\t<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. The nature and meaning of questions in work relationships: A systems psychodynamics perspective., INSEAD Systems Psychodynamics conference, Fontainebleau, France, 2025<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. Formal and informal authority: A systems psychodynamics analysis, INSEAD, 2024<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. Caregiving work organizations: A systems psychodynamics perspective, Case Western University Weatherhead School of Business, 2024<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. The Nature and Implications of Organizational Pain, Sydney University School of Business, 2024<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. Using systems psychodynamics in organizational research., Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Boston, 2023<\/p>\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__data-section has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-block-amp-profile-publications\">\n\t<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-weight: 500\">\n\tPublications\t<\/h5>\n\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group profile__data-row has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (In Press). &#8220;Through the Narrows: Creating and Sustaining Holding Encounters&#8221;, <i>Organization Science<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (In Press). &#8220;Through the Narrows: The Meaning and Enactment of Interpersonal Holding&#8221;, <i>Organization Science<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Mobasseri, S., Kahn, W., Ely, R. (In Press). &#8220;Racial Inequality in Organizations: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2025). &#8220;Humanizing Authority in the Court of Second Chances&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Discoveries<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Mobasseri, S., Kahn, W., Ely, R. (2024). &#8220;Racial Inequality in Organizations: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>49<\/i> (4),  718-745<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2023). &#8220;Falling apart and hanging together: Notes on resilient caregiving organizations&#8221;, <i>Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care<\/i>, <i>22<\/i> (1),  93-111<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Barton, M., Kahn, W., Maitlis, S., Sutcliffe, K. (2022). &#8220;Stop framing wellness programs around self-care&#8221;, <i>Harvard Business Review<\/i> (https:\/\/hbr.org\/2022\/04\/stop-framing-wellness-programs-around-self-care)<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2021). &#8220;Discoveries-through-Prose  Nobody Home: A Parallel Process Investigation of a Child Welfare Agency&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Discoveries<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Rouse, E. (2021). &#8220;Navigating Space for Personal Agency: Auxiliary Routines as Adaptations in Toxic Organizations&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Journal<\/i>, <i>64<\/i> (5),  1419-1444<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Feldman, E. (2020). &#8220;Making the most of conflicting advice from mentors.&#8221;, <i>MIT Sloan Management Review: MIT&#8217;s journal of management research and ideas<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Rouse, E. (2020). &#8220;Toxic organizations and the unenviable choices available to mid-level managers.&#8221;, <i>London School of Economics Business Review<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Barnes, L., Draga, S., Long, D., Maitlis, S., Ruttan, R., Burgess, R., Colquitt, J., DeCelles, K., Dutton, J., Hardin, A., Jun, S., Rockmann, K., Workman, K. (2020). &#8220;Navigating Distress: Exploring How People Make Sense of Negative Emotions in Everyday Workplaces&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Proceedings<\/i>, <i>2020<\/i> (1),  14075-14075<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2019). &#8220;Dynamics and Implications of Distress Organizing&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Journal<\/i>, <i>62<\/i> (5),  1471-1497<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Barton, M., Kahn, W. (2019). &#8220;Group Resilience: The Place and Meaning of Relational Pauses&#8221;, <i>Organization Studies<\/i>, <i>40<\/i> (9),  1409-1429<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Feldman, E., Kahn, W. (2019). &#8220;When Developers Disagree: Divergent Advice as a Potential Catalyst for Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Growth&#8221;, <i>Organization Science<\/i>, <i>30<\/i> (3),  509-527<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Barton, M., Fisher, C., Heaphy, E., Reid, E., Rouse, E. (2018). &#8220;The Geography of Strain: Organizational Resilience as a Function of Intergroup Relations&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>43<\/i> (3),  509-529<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2015). &#8220;The Ostrich Effect&#8221;, <i>Routledge<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Barton, M., Fellows, S. (2013). &#8220;Organizational Crises and the Disturbance of Relational Systems&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>2<\/i> (38),  377-396<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Barton, M., Fellows, S. (2013). &#8220;Organizational crises and the disturbance of relational systems&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>38<\/i> (3),  377-396<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2012). &#8220;The functions of dysfunction: Implications for organizational diagnosis and change.&#8221;, <i>Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research<\/i>, <i>64<\/i> (3),  225-241<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2011). &#8220;Treating Organizational Wounds&#8221;, <i>Organizational Dynamics<\/i>, <i>40<\/i> (2),  75-84<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2008). &#8220;The Student&#8217;s Guide to Successful Project Teams&#8221;, <i>Routledge Academic<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Bookman, T., Kahn, W. (2006). &#8220;This House We Build Lessons for Healthy Synagogues and the People Who Dwell There&#8221;, <i>Rowman &#038; Littlefield<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2006). Meaningful connections: Positive relationships and attachments at work. In JE, Dutton., BR, Ragins. (Eds.), &#8220;Exploring positive relationships at work&#8221;, <i>Lawrence Erlbaum<\/i> 189-206<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2006). Positive relationships in groups and communities. In JE, Dutton., BR, Ragins. (Eds.), &#8220;Exploring positive relationships at work&#8221;, <i>Lawrence Erlbaum<\/i> 277-288<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2005). &#8220;Holding Fast&#8221;, <i>Routledge<\/i><\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2004). &#8220;Facilitating and Undermining Organizational Change&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>40<\/i> (1),  7-30<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Green, Z. (2004). Seduction and betrayal: A process of unconscious abuse of authority by leadership groups. In S, Cytynbaum., D, Noumair. (Eds.), &#8220;Group relations reader 3&#8221;, <i>A.K. Rice Institute<\/i> 175-199<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2003). &#8220;The Revelation of Organizational Trauma&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>39<\/i> (4),  364-380<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Cross, R., Parker, A. (2003). &#8220;Layers of Diagnosis for Planned Relational Change in Organizations&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>39<\/i> (3),  259-280<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\"> (2003). &#8220;Review of H. Sondak, M. Neale &#038; E. Mannix (Eds.), Toward phenomenology of groups and group membership&#8221;, <i>Administrative Science Quarterly<\/i>, <i>48<\/i> (2),  330-332<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">KAHN, W. (2002). &#8220;Managing the Paradox of Self-Reliance&#8221;, <i>Organizational Dynamics<\/i>, <i>30<\/i> (3),  239-256<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Hall, D. (2002). Developmental relationships at work: A learning perspective. In C, Cooper. (Eds.), &#8220;The world of work&#8221;, <i>Oxford<\/i> 49-74<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (2001). &#8220;Holding Environments at Work&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>37<\/i> (3),  260-279<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1998). &#8220;Relational systems at work&#8221;, <i>Research in Organizational Behavior<\/i>, <i>20<\/i> 39-76<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1996). Secure base relationships at work. In DT, Hall. (Eds.), &#8220;The career is dead&#8211;Long live the career:  A relational approach to careers&#8221;, <i>Jossey-Bass<\/i> 42-66<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\"> (1996). &#8220;Comment on &#8220;Understanding researcher projection in interpreting case study data: The South Canyon fire tragedy.&#8221;&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>32<\/i> (1),  63-70<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1995). &#8220;Organizational Change and the Provision of a Secure Base: Lessons from the Field&#8221;, <i>Human Relations<\/i>, <i>48<\/i> (5),  489-514<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1995). &#8220;Group Process Checkpoints for Team Learning in the Classroom&#8221;, <i>Journal of Policy Analysis and Management<\/i>, <i>14<\/i> (2),  310-310<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Kram, K. (1994). &#8220;Authority at work: Internal models and their organizational consequences.&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>19<\/i> (1),  17-50<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1993). &#8220;Caring for the caregivers: Patterns of organizational caregiving&#8221;, <i>Administrative Science Quarterly<\/i>, <i>38<\/i> (4),  539-563<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1992). &#8220;To be fully there: Psychological presence at work&#8221;, <i>Human Relations<\/i>, <i>45<\/i> (4),  321-349<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\"> (1992). &#8220;Review of E. Shapiro &#038; A. W. Carr, Lost in Familiar Places&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>17<\/i> (3),  615-618<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1990). &#8220;Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Journal<\/i>, <i>33<\/i> (4),  692-724<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1990). &#8220;An Exercise of Authority&#8221;, <i>Organizational Behavior Teaching Review<\/i>, <i>14<\/i> (2),  28-42<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1990). &#8220;There&#8217;s no place like home: Reflections on leaving a social system&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>26<\/i> (2),  135-149<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1990). &#8220;Towards an agenda for business ethics research&#8221;, <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>15<\/i> (2),  311-328<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1990). &#8220;To wit: Humor and the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>26<\/i> (1),  107-110<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1989). University athletic teams. In JR, Hackman. (Eds.), &#8220;Groups that work (and those that don&#8217;t)&#8221;, <i>Jossey-Bass<\/i> 250-264<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W. (1989). &#8220;Toward a Sense of Organizational Humor: Implications for Organizational Diagnosis and Change&#8221;, <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>25<\/i> (1),  45-63<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">Kahn, W., Crosby, F. (1985). Change and stasis:  Discriminating between changing attitudes and discriminatory behavior. In B, Gutek., L, Larwood., B, Stromberg. (Eds.), &#8220;Women and work&#8221;, <i>Sage<\/i> 48-62<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-left has-neutral-01-color has-text-color has-link-color has-p-2-font-size\">KAHN, W. (1984). &#8220;The Structure of Exaltation&#8221;, <i>American Behavioral Scientist<\/i>, <i>27<\/i> (6),  705-722<\/p>\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"bu_is_from_api":true,"buID":"U04671705","lastName":"Kahn","firstName":"William","middleName":"A","suffixName":"","phone":"617-353-2680","email":"wkahn@bu.edu","pronouns":"","cv":"http:\/\/questromapps.bu.edu\/faculty\/uploadFiles\/cvUploadsProfile\/MO_Kahn_William_CV.pdf","website":"","office":"653","address":"595 Commonwealth Ave","bio":"","bu_profile_image_url":"http:\/\/questromapps.bu.edu\/images\/facstaff\/KahnWilliam.jpg","position":["Professor, Management & Organizations"],"education":["PhD, Yale University, 1987","MS, Yale University, 1983","BA, Clark University, 1981"],"publications":["Kahn, W. (In Press). \"Through the Narrows: Creating and Sustaining Holding Encounters\", <i>Organization Science<\/i>","Kahn, W. (In Press). \"Through the Narrows: The Meaning and Enactment of Interpersonal Holding\", <i>Organization Science<\/i>","Mobasseri, S., Kahn, W., Ely, R. (In Press). \"Racial Inequality in Organizations: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>","Kahn, W. (2025). \"Humanizing Authority in the Court of Second Chances\", <i>Academy of Management Discoveries<\/i>","Mobasseri, S., Kahn, W., Ely, R. (2024). \"Racial Inequality in Organizations: A Systems Psychodynamic Perspective\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>49<\/i> (4),  718-745","Kahn, W. (2023). \"Falling apart and hanging together: Notes on resilient caregiving organizations\", <i>Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care<\/i>, <i>22<\/i> (1),  93-111","Barton, M., Kahn, W., Maitlis, S., Sutcliffe, K. (2022). \"Stop framing wellness programs around self-care\", <i>Harvard Business Review<\/i> (https:\/\/hbr.org\/2022\/04\/stop-framing-wellness-programs-around-self-care)","Kahn, W. (2021). \"Discoveries-through-Prose  Nobody Home: A Parallel Process Investigation of a Child Welfare Agency\", <i>Academy of Management Discoveries<\/i>","Kahn, W., Rouse, E. (2021). \"Navigating Space for Personal Agency: Auxiliary Routines as Adaptations in Toxic Organizations\", <i>Academy of Management Journal<\/i>, <i>64<\/i> (5),  1419-1444","Kahn, W., Feldman, E. (2020). \"Making the most of conflicting advice from mentors.\", <i>MIT Sloan Management Review: MIT's journal of management research and ideas<\/i>","Kahn, W., Rouse, E. (2020). \"Toxic organizations and the unenviable choices available to mid-level managers.\", <i>London School of Economics Business Review<\/i>","Kahn, W., Barnes, L., Draga, S., Long, D., Maitlis, S., Ruttan, R., Burgess, R., Colquitt, J., DeCelles, K., Dutton, J., Hardin, A., Jun, S., Rockmann, K., Workman, K. (2020). \"Navigating Distress: Exploring How People Make Sense of Negative Emotions in Everyday Workplaces\", <i>Academy of Management Proceedings<\/i>, <i>2020<\/i> (1),  14075-14075","Kahn, W. (2019). \"Dynamics and Implications of Distress Organizing\", <i>Academy of Management Journal<\/i>, <i>62<\/i> (5),  1471-1497","Barton, M., Kahn, W. (2019). \"Group Resilience: The Place and Meaning of Relational Pauses\", <i>Organization Studies<\/i>, <i>40<\/i> (9),  1409-1429","Feldman, E., Kahn, W. (2019). \"When Developers Disagree: Divergent Advice as a Potential Catalyst for Prot\u00e9g\u00e9 Growth\", <i>Organization Science<\/i>, <i>30<\/i> (3),  509-527","Kahn, W., Barton, M., Fisher, C., Heaphy, E., Reid, E., Rouse, E. (2018). \"The Geography of Strain: Organizational Resilience as a Function of Intergroup Relations\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>43<\/i> (3),  509-529","Kahn, W. (2015). \"The Ostrich Effect\", <i>Routledge<\/i>","Kahn, W., Barton, M., Fellows, S. (2013). \"Organizational Crises and the Disturbance of Relational Systems\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>2<\/i> (38),  377-396","Kahn, W., Barton, M., Fellows, S. (2013). \"Organizational crises and the disturbance of relational systems\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>38<\/i> (3),  377-396","Kahn, W. (2012). \"The functions of dysfunction: Implications for organizational diagnosis and change.\", <i>Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research<\/i>, <i>64<\/i> (3),  225-241","Kahn, W. (2011). \"Treating Organizational Wounds\", <i>Organizational Dynamics<\/i>, <i>40<\/i> (2),  75-84","Kahn, W. (2008). \"The Student's Guide to Successful Project Teams\", <i>Routledge Academic<\/i>","Bookman, T., Kahn, W. (2006). \"This House We Build Lessons for Healthy Synagogues and the People Who Dwell There\", <i>Rowman & Littlefield<\/i>","Kahn, W. (2006). Meaningful connections: Positive relationships and attachments at work. In JE, Dutton., BR, Ragins. (Eds.), \"Exploring positive relationships at work\", <i>Lawrence Erlbaum<\/i> 189-206","Kahn, W. (2006). Positive relationships in groups and communities. In JE, Dutton., BR, Ragins. (Eds.), \"Exploring positive relationships at work\", <i>Lawrence Erlbaum<\/i> 277-288","Kahn, W. (2005). \"Holding Fast\", <i>Routledge<\/i>","Kahn, W. (2004). \"Facilitating and Undermining Organizational Change\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>40<\/i> (1),  7-30","Kahn, W., Green, Z. (2004). Seduction and betrayal: A process of unconscious abuse of authority by leadership groups. In S, Cytynbaum., D, Noumair. (Eds.), \"Group relations reader 3\", <i>A.K. Rice Institute<\/i> 175-199","Kahn, W. (2003). \"The Revelation of Organizational Trauma\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>39<\/i> (4),  364-380","Kahn, W., Cross, R., Parker, A. (2003). \"Layers of Diagnosis for Planned Relational Change in Organizations\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>39<\/i> (3),  259-280"," (2003). \"Review of H. Sondak, M. Neale & E. Mannix (Eds.), Toward phenomenology of groups and group membership\", <i>Administrative Science Quarterly<\/i>, <i>48<\/i> (2),  330-332","KAHN, W. (2002). \"Managing the Paradox of Self-Reliance\", <i>Organizational Dynamics<\/i>, <i>30<\/i> (3),  239-256","Kahn, W., Hall, D. (2002). Developmental relationships at work: A learning perspective. In C, Cooper. (Eds.), \"The world of work\", <i>Oxford<\/i> 49-74","Kahn, W. (2001). \"Holding Environments at Work\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>37<\/i> (3),  260-279","Kahn, W. (1998). \"Relational systems at work\", <i>Research in Organizational Behavior<\/i>, <i>20<\/i> 39-76","Kahn, W. (1996). Secure base relationships at work. In DT, Hall. (Eds.), \"The career is dead--Long live the career:  A relational approach to careers\", <i>Jossey-Bass<\/i> 42-66"," (1996). \"Comment on \"Understanding researcher projection in interpreting case study data: The South Canyon fire tragedy.\"\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>32<\/i> (1),  63-70","Kahn, W. (1995). \"Organizational Change and the Provision of a Secure Base: Lessons from the Field\", <i>Human Relations<\/i>, <i>48<\/i> (5),  489-514","Kahn, W. (1995). \"Group Process Checkpoints for Team Learning in the Classroom\", <i>Journal of Policy Analysis and Management<\/i>, <i>14<\/i> (2),  310-310","Kahn, W., Kram, K. (1994). \"Authority at work: Internal models and their organizational consequences.\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>19<\/i> (1),  17-50","Kahn, W. (1993). \"Caring for the caregivers: Patterns of organizational caregiving\", <i>Administrative Science Quarterly<\/i>, <i>38<\/i> (4),  539-563","Kahn, W. (1992). \"To be fully there: Psychological presence at work\", <i>Human Relations<\/i>, <i>45<\/i> (4),  321-349"," (1992). \"Review of E. Shapiro & A. W. Carr, Lost in Familiar Places\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>17<\/i> (3),  615-618","Kahn, W. (1990). \"Psychological conditions of personal engagement and disengagement at work\", <i>Academy of Management Journal<\/i>, <i>33<\/i> (4),  692-724","Kahn, W. (1990). \"An Exercise of Authority\", <i>Organizational Behavior Teaching Review<\/i>, <i>14<\/i> (2),  28-42","Kahn, W. (1990). \"There's no place like home: Reflections on leaving a social system\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>26<\/i> (2),  135-149","Kahn, W. (1990). \"Towards an agenda for business ethics research\", <i>Academy of Management Review<\/i>, <i>15<\/i> (2),  311-328","Kahn, W. (1990). \"To wit: Humor and the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>26<\/i> (1),  107-110","Kahn, W. (1989). University athletic teams. In JR, Hackman. (Eds.), \"Groups that work (and those that don't)\", <i>Jossey-Bass<\/i> 250-264","Kahn, W. (1989). \"Toward a Sense of Organizational Humor: Implications for Organizational Diagnosis and Change\", <i>The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science<\/i>, <i>25<\/i> (1),  45-63","Kahn, W., Crosby, F. (1985). Change and stasis:  Discriminating between changing attitudes and discriminatory behavior. In B, Gutek., L, Larwood., B, Stromberg. (Eds.), \"Women and work\", <i>Sage<\/i> 48-62","KAHN, W. (1984). \"The Structure of Exaltation\", <i>American Behavioral Scientist<\/i>, <i>27<\/i> (6),  705-722"],"presentations":["Kahn, W. The nature and meaning of questions in work relationships: A systems psychodynamics perspective., INSEAD Systems Psychodynamics conference, Fontainebleau, France, 2025","Kahn, W. Formal and informal authority: A systems psychodynamics analysis, INSEAD, 2024","Kahn, W. Caregiving work organizations: A systems psychodynamics perspective, Case Western University Weatherhead School of Business, 2024","Kahn, W. The Nature and Implications of Organizational Pain, Sydney University School of Business, 2024","Kahn, W. Using systems psychodynamics in organizational research., Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Boston, 2023"],"awards_honors":["2023, Best Paper Award, Academy of Management","2022, Best Symposium Award, Academy of Management","2021, Shahdadpuri Faculty Research Award, Questrom School of Business","2019, Best Paper Award (Finalist), ","1995, AMR Best Paper Award, Academy of Management"]},"ambassador-type":[],"career-interest":[],"citizenship":[],"club-organization":[],"current-country":[],"current-industry":[],"region":[],"state":[],"undergraduate-major":[],"profile_types":[16],"faculty-departments":[1172],"staff-departments":[],"phd-student-departments":[],"programs":[],"directory-types":[35],"class_list":["post-9863","profiles","type-profiles","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>William Kahn - Boston University Questrom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/questrom\/profiles\/william-kahn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"William Kahn - 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