Meaningful work: differences among blue-, pink-, and white-collar occupations. Issue 5 (12th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lips-Wiersma, Marjolein; Wright, Sarah; Dik, Bryan
• Is Part Of: Career development international. Volume 21:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 534
• Page End: 551
• Publication Date: 2016-09-12
• Subjects: Occupations -- Blue-, Pink- and white-collar -- Meaningful work; Career development -- Periodicals; Executives -- Training of -- Periodicals; 650.1
• DOI: 10.1108/CDI-04-2016-0052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-0436

Abstract

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/methodology/approachs: 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?