"Meaningful Work: Differences among Blue-, Pink-, and White-collar Occupations"
by Lips-Wiersma, Marjolein; Wright, Sarah; Dik, Bryan (2016)
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to compare the importance currently placed on meaningful work (MFW), and determine the frequency by which it is experienced in blue-, pink-, and white-collar occupations. DESIGN: Using the comprehensive meaningful work scale (Lips-Wiersma and Wright, 2012) with 1,683 workers across two studies, ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences in dimensions of MFW. FINDINGS: While unity with others and developing the inner self were regarded as equally important for white-, blue-, and pink-collar workers, the authors data suggest that white-collar workers placed more importance on expressing full potential and serving others than blue-collar workers. The frequency of experiencing MFW differed across the three groups with white-collar workers experiencing higher levels of unity with others, expressing full potential, and serving others; however no mean differences were found for developing the inner self. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This study is the first to empirically investigate an oft-discussed but previously untested question: does the experience of MFW differ across white-, blue-, and pink-collar jobs?
Keywords
Meaningful Work, Meaning Of Work, Well-Being, Psychology, Happiness, Blue Collar Work, Pink Collar Work, White Collar WorkThemes
Occupational Identity, Meaningful WorkLinks to Reference
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