Work Meaning and Motivation

This open access book presents an interdisciplinary perspective on the study of well-being at work. Written by experts from various disciplines, it integrates organizational behavior, sociology, economics, economic history, and entrepreneurship to probe two central themes: the causes and consequences of work meaningfulness and work motivations, and their implications for workers and organizations. It comprehensively explores why people find meaning in their work, what motivates them to work, and how this perception shapes individual, organizational, and economic outcomes. The respective chapters investigate how these central topics manifest in various contexts, from psychological and organizational frameworks to the impact of economic theories and technological change, offering new perspectives on the interplay between work, individual fulfillment, and societal development.

The edited volume promises to be a distinctive contribution to the field, sharing provocative insights and summaries of the state-of-the-art in the growing body of literature on meaningful work and work orientations, raising pivotal questions and providing informed answers that will shape future studies and practices.