Why we work: An investigation of work meaning through work orientation
Item
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Title
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Why we work: An investigation of work meaning through work orientation
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:5448ca45d246:10675
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identifier
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10840
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Creator
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Shea-Van Fossen, Rita J.,
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Contributor
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Donald J. Vredenburgh
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Date
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2010
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Management | Business administration | Calling | challenge | work enjoyment | work meaning | work orientation
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Abstract
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The search for meaning is a fundamental quest for individuals and research indicates many individuals are looking for life meaning from work. Work orientation addresses the functional purposes work serves in life and reflects how individuals find meaning in the work domain. The tripartite model of work orientation categorizes work meaning through three dimensions: job, career, and calling. This dissertation explores how the concept of work orientation helps to clarify the meaning of work for individuals.;I utilized Roberson's (1990) model of work meaning and reviewed the extant literature to clarify the unique role of work orientation in explaining work meaning and to differentiate work orientation from potentially overlapping concepts. I found support for the dimensionality of the tripartite model of work orientation and empirically examined the relationships among the individual attributes of proactive personality, preference for challenging work, self-reflection, and concern for others, and job, career, and calling orientations via an on-line survey of full-time employees in the auto industry (n = 251). I also explored the main and moderating effects of work enjoyment on work orientation.;Study findings important to advancing the work orientation concept include clarifying work orientation as a value attribute, identifying preference for challenging work as a differentiating attribute of job, career, and calling orientations, and understanding work enjoyment is not an exclusive attribute of any one orientation, but appears to create a positive reinforcement cycle that strengthens an individual's current work orientation. Theoretically, the results advance a context free view of calling, clarify work orientation's unique role within the work meaning literature, and suggest revisions to trait-factor theories of career development to better predict work outcomes. Practically, the results suggest differences in individuals' preferences for challenging work and perceptions of employment security influence work's meaning. Future research recommendations include longitudinal studies to better understand how work orientations develop and change as well as studies utilizing more occupationally and demographically diverse work groups to understand if culture or occupational identity influences work orientation. Study limitations include cross-sectional design and measurement concerns.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Business
