The Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work

Description

The Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work examines the concept, practices and effects of meaningful work in organizations and beyond. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this volume reflects diverse scholarly contributions to understanding meaningful work from philosophy, political theory, psychology, sociology, organizational studies, and economics. In philosophy and political theory, treatments of meaningful work have been influenced by debates concerning the tensions between work as unavoidable and necessary, and work as a source of self-realization and human flourishing. This tension has come into renewed focus as work is reshaped by technology, globalization, and new forms of organization. In management studies, much empirical work has focused on meaningful work from the perspective of positive psychology, but more recent research has considered meaningful work as a complex phenomenon, socially constructed from interactive processes between individuals, and between individuals, organizations, and society. This Handbook examines meaningful work in the context of moral and pragmatic concerns such as human flourishing, dignity, alienation, freedom, and organizational ethics. The collection illuminates the relationship of meaningful work to organizational constructs of identity, belonging, callings, self-transcendence, culture, and occupations. Representing some of the most up to date academic research, the editors aim to inspire and equip researchers by identifying new directions and methods with which to deepen scholarly inquiry into a topic of growing importance. COVER THE OXFORD HANDBOOK OF MEANINGFUL WORK COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS Introduction and Overview Overview of the Contributions The Philosophy of Meaningful Work Processes of Meaningfulness The Experience of Meaningful Work Contexts and Boundaries of Meaningful Work References PART I: THE PHILOSOPHY OF MEANINGFUL WORK Chapter 1: The Moral Conditions of Work The Meanings of Work The Meaning of Leisure Freedom and Necessity Objective and Subjective Meanings The Meaning of a Paycheck The Moral Conditions of Work The Moral and the Meaningful Conclusion: Meaningful Lives References Chapter 2: Dignity and Meaningful Work Work and Dignity Kant’s Account of Dignity The Most Recent Perspectives on Dignity A Kantian Account of Meaningful Work Management Practices that Support Meaningful Work Other Perspectives on Dignity and Meaningful Work The Future References Chapter 3: Meaningful Work and Freedom: Self-realization, Autonomy, and Non-domination in Work Introduction Work, Meaningfulness, and Freedom Meaningful Work and Self-realization Meaningful Work and Autonomy Meaningful Work and Non-domination A Reply to Two Objections References Chapter 4: Work, Meaning, and Virtue Introduction Meaningful Work Neo-Aristotelian Virtue Ethics A Virtue-based Account of Meaningful Work References Chapter 5: Work and the Meaning of Being Introduction Aristotle and Poiesis Marx and Praxis Marx and Freedom Work as Metaphorical Implications and Conclusion References Chapter 6: To Have Lived WellWell-being and Meaningful Work Introduction Theory of Eudaimonia Eudaimonia and Meaningful Work Sense of Self The Self as Leader The Self and Others Agency Grit The Work Itself The Workplace Conclusion References PART II: PROCESSES OF MEANINGFULNESS Chapter 7: Do We Have to Do Meaningful Work? Meaningful Work and Moral Concern What is Meaningful Work? Meaningful Work and the Alienated Elite Two Arguments for an Obligation to Pursue and Practice Meaningful Work The Self-cultivation Argument The Opportunity-cost Argument Objections: Autonomy and Unacceptable Implications The Autonomy Objection Unacceptable Implications Conclusion and Unanswered Questions References Chapter 8: Identity and Meaningful/Meaningless Work Meaningful and Meaningless Workplace Identities Neoliberalism and Meaningful Work Meaningful Work in Polytopic Organizational Space Six Principles of Polytopias Discussion: Toward a Theory of Meaningful Work/Identities in the Organizational Quotidian References Chapter 6: To Have Lived Well: Well-being and Meaningful Work Introduction Approaches to Meaningful Work Meaningful Work and Self-transcendence Vertical Transcendence Horizontal Transcendence Self-transcendence and the Intersubjective Nature of Meaningful Work Taking Self-transcendence Forward References Chapter 10: “Belonging” and its Relationship to the Experience of Meaningful Work Introduction Meaningfulness Defined Of Belonging and Meaning Meaningful Work Belonging in the Context of Work Relatedness Social Support Organizational Commitment and Identification Psychological Ownership Socio-moral Climate Today’s Challenges to Belonging at Work Alienation: An Opposite of Belonging The Dark Sides of Belonging Discussion References Chapter 11: Exploring work orientations and cultural accounts of work: Toward a Research Agenda for Examining the Role of Culture in Meaningful Work Meaningful Work and Culture: An Overview Work Orientation and Culture Cultural Accounts of Work Linking Cultural Accounts to Individual Work Orientations Cultural Approach to Meaningful Work: Speculations on a New Research Agenda Meaningful Work and the Push Pathway Meaningful Work and the Pull Pathway Meaningful Work and the Move Pathway Conclusion References Chapter 12: Meaning in Lifeand in Work Introduction Three Meanings of Meaning Meaningful Work Working Together—Meaning in Work and in Life Empirical Research on Meaning in Life and at Work Theoretical Connections Between Meaning in Life and at Work SPIRE and CARMA Meaning and the Future of Work References PART III: THE EXPERIENCE OF MEANINGFUL WORK Chapter 13: Meanings and Dirty Work: A Study of Refuse Collectors and Street Cleaners Introduction Meaningfulness: Emerging Perspectives Bourdieu, Meanings, and Dirty Work The Research Context and Method Work-based Meanings: A “Dirty Work” Habitus Hard Work and Traditionalism Choice, Security, and Utility Habitus and Futurity Conclusion References Chapter 14: Finding Meaning in the Work of Caring Introduction Caring Theory and Research Meaningful Work Research on Meaningful Moments in Nurses’ Caring Work Conditions Essential to Caring and Meaningful Moments The Struggle to Find Meaning in Caring Work The Interaction between Caring and Meaning Conclusion References Chapter 15: Exploring Meaningful Work in the Third Sector Introduction What is Meaningful Work? Paid and Unpaid Work in the Third Sector Exploring Meaningful Work in Three Third Sector Fields Social Service Political Activism Humanitarianism and Development Meaningful Work in the Third Sector: Context, Paradox, and Critical Questions References Chapter 16: Callings Definition and Multidimensional Nature Perceiving a Calling and Living a Calling Predictors of Perceiving a Calling Predictors of Living a Calling Maximizing a Calling at Work Outcomes of Living a Calling Vocational Outcomes Well-being Outcomes Dark Side to Living a Calling Summary Implications Increasing Motivation Crafting Techniques Multicultural Considerations Conclusion References Chapter 17: Does My Engagement Matter?: Exploring the Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Meaningful Work in Theory and Practice Positioning Employee Engagement from Political Roots to Psychological State Repositioning Employee Engagement as a Psychological State Through Meaningful Work Connecting Meaningful Work and Employee Engagement: Looking Forward without Objectifying the Experience Developing Cultures of Employee Engagement Through Meaningful Work: Guidelines for Practice References Chapter 18: Work Througha Gender Lens: More Work and More Sources of Meaningfulness Introduction Androcentrism in the Definition of Work and in Meaningful Work Research Reducing Androcentrism by Expanding the Definition of Work Columns I and II: Types of Work in Commercial Institutions and Communities Type 1: Formal Labor Market Type 2: Crowdwork Type 3: Unpaid Overtime Work, On-call Work, Zero-hours Jobs, Self-employment Type 4: Networking Type 5: Volunteering Type 6: Political Advocacy Columns III and IV: Types of Work in Social and Material Contexts Type 7: Informal Labor Market: Paid Work in the Social and Material Dimensions Type 8: Informal Helping: Unpaid and Along Social and Material Dimensions Column III: Social Relations Type 9: Caregiving or Care Work Type 10: Emotion Work Type 11: Kinkeeping Work Column IV: Material Spheres of Unpaid Work Type 12: Maintenance, Repair, Restoration, and Housework Type 13: Consumer Work Type 14: Archival and Memory-keeping Work Column V: Personal Spheres of Paid and Unpaid Work Type 15: Hired Services for the Self Type 16: Aesthetic Work Type 17: Self-branding Type 18: Self-care, Health and Hygiene Type 19: Slavery Integrating the Model Changes over Time and Movement among Work Types Conclusions References Chapter 19: Leadership and Meaningful Work Introduction The Claims of Leadership Authentic Leadership? Transformational Leadership and Meaningful Work Spiritual Leadership in the Workplace The Role of Power and the Paradoxes of Meaningful Work Conclusion References PART IV: CONTEXTS AND BOUNDARIES OF MEANINGFUL WORK Chapter 20: Fostering the Human Spirit: A Positive Ethical Framework for Experiencing Meaningfulness at Work Experiencing Meaningfulness and Identity Positive Organizational Scholarship, Virtues, and Character Strengths Courage Humanity Transcendence Character Strengths, Work Behaviors, and Meaningfulness Character Strengths, Career Callings, and Meaningfulness Character Strengths and Callings Callings and Meaningfulness Character Strengths, Volunteering, and Meaningfulness Character Strengths and Volunteering Volunteering and Meaningfulness Experiencing Meaningfulness and Positive Emotions Positive Ethical Culture and Civic Engagement Outcomes Positive Ethical Culture Civic Engagement Future Directions Character Strengths Callings Volunteering Positive Emotions, Upward Spirals, and Cross-level Effects The Potential of Paradox and Experiencing Meaningfulness at Work Conclusion References Chapter 21: Direct Participation and Meaningful Work: The Implications of Task Discretion and Organizational Participation Introduction The Intrinsic Importance of Direct Participation Direct Participation and Self-determination The Instrumental Importance of Direct Participation Direct Participation and Learning Direct Participation and Health Work Intensity Direct Participation and Job Security Conclusion References Chapter 22: Accounting for Meaningful Work Introduction Meaningful Work—Does it Count? Meaningful Work—How to Account? Estimating the Value of Meaningful Work Accounting and Control Practices and Meaningful Work An Absence of Meaningful Work Meaningful Work and Organizational Performance Mobilizing Accounting and Control Practices for Meaningful Work Conclusion References Chapter 23: Meaningful Workand Family: How does the Pursuit of Meaningful WorkImpact one’s Family? Meaningful Work and Family: A Win-win Perspective Meaningful Work and Family: A Win-lose Perspective Conditions Shaping the Influence of Meaningful Work on one’s Family Family Role Salience and Identification Shaping how Meaningful Work Impacts one’s Family Harmonious versus Obsessive Passion Shaping how Meaningful Work Impacts one’s Family Conclusions and Future Directions References Chapter 24: Does Corporate Social Responsibility Enhance Meaningful Work?: A Multi-perspective Theoretical Framework Introduction Volkswagen Five Theoretical Perspectives on the MW–CSR Relationship Personal Responsibility CSR Job Characteristics: Opportunities for MW Dignity and Autonomy Worthy Work Strong Sustainability Conclusion References Chapter 25: Cultural, National, and Individual Diversity and their Relationship to the Experience of Meaningful Work Introduction Definition of Terms The Cultural Context of Meaningful Work Individual Diversity and Meaningful Work The Nature of the Task Workplace Relationships Work Beliefs Other Antecedents Mechanisms of Meaning National Culture and Meaningful Work Conclusion Future Directions References Chapter 26: Bringing Political Economy Back In: A Comparative Institutionalist Perspective on Meaningful Work Introduction What is Meaningful Work? The Spillover Effects of Meaningful Work Comparative Institutionalism and Meaningful Work Rational Choice Institutionalism Historical Institutionalism Sociological Institutionalism Constructivist Institutionalism Illustrative Empirical Evidence Autonomy and Discretion at Work Overall Job Quality Implications for Meaningful Work Conclusions References Chapter 27: The Meaningful City: Toward a Theory of Public Meaningfulness, City Institutions, and Civic Work Discovering Meaningfulness in the City Limits to Techno-bureaucratic Visions of the City The Value of Meaningfulness Alienation and Meaningfulness Caring and Meaningfulness The Meaningful City Justice in the City An Infrastructure of City-level Meaningfulness Public Meaningfulness The Society of Meaning-makers Agonistic Republicanism Conclusion References Index