I am investigating the mediating effects of flow on leadership styles as independent variables and employee performance as dependent variable. I will be grateful if anyone who has used an instrument to measure flow state or is aware of the instrument, guide me to it.
Main methods are the Flow Questionnaire (FQ), the Experience Sampling Method (EMS), and standardized scales used in the componential approach. But the actual state of flow resists attempts to measure it - one can report it via questionnaires, and of course physiological monitoring would give some data, but not the state. Predispositonal factors are much debated, as is context - and fororganizations the danger of overlearning/overcontrolling is relevant.. For example, check out the videos of the young man with learning difficulties, known as J-Mac, who was assistant to the basketball team at his school. Last game of the season, the team had won the championship, the coach allowed him on the court to play as a special treat. He scored something like 30 points in 7 minutes, He had never done it and wouldn't again. He said the basket seemed huge. Clearly we are witnessing flow state here - and he isn't a highly trained player remember - but would measurement help? Would it be possible? Also, the exisitng research concentrates on the inner process of flow but neglects what could be arued to be a process of channelling/openness or harmony (which would be more emphasised in religious examples of flow). I think with any method it's important to keep in mind where it breaks down and what it leaves out (as all methods do) because sometimes this can frustrate the ultimate objectives of the investigation, whilst not appearing to. So when you choose your instrument, be sure to challenge it thoroughly, and consider triangulation
Thanks Stephen for your insights. Really appreciate it. Can you provide me some leads on where to find the scales for Flow Questionnaire or ESM?
Congrats for undertaking such an interesting study. For measuring flow state of employee at work, I advise applying the Markov Analysis as a instrument to project the HR flow. Good luck
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