To Work Or Not To Work: Construction Of Meaning Of Work And Making Work Choices

Abstract

Meaning of work as explored in this study refers to the function that organizational paid employment serves for people. Is work a means of fulfilling social and economic expectations? Or is it an opportunity for people to express and apply their talents and expertise? The intent of this research was to explore how the predominant meaning of work gets constructed before people start working and how that affects their work choices. It was seen that social expectations and metaphors related to work influenced the meaning of work and work choices. A process theory of the construction of meaning of work was developed inductively. The theoretical and managerial implications of the findings and limitations are also discussed.