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The mismanaged soul: existential labor and the erosion of meaningful work

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 04:05 authored by Katie Bailey, Adrian Madden, Kerstin Alfes, Amanda Shantz, Emma Soane
Meaningful work has been defined as work that is personally enriching and that makes a positive contribution. There is increasing interest in how organizations can harness the meaningfulness of work to enhance productivity and performance. We explain how organizations seek to manage the meaningfulness employees experience through strategies focused on job design, leadership, HRM and culture. Employees can respond positively to employers' strategies aimed at raising their level of experienced meaningfulness when they are felt to be authentic. However, when meaningfulness is lacking, or employees perceive that the employer is seeking to manipulate their meaningfulness for performative intent, then the response of employees can be to engage in “existential labor” strategies with the potential for harmful consequences for individuals and organizations. We develop a Model of Existential Labor, drawing out a set of propositions for future research endeavors, and outline the implications for HRM practitioners.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Human Resource Management Review

ISSN

1053-4822

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

3

Volume

27

Page range

416-430

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Future of Work Hub Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-11-18

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-11-24

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-11-18

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