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Questions and Answers
What primary role does work play in relation to social identity?
What primary role does work play in relation to social identity?
How does unemployment influence an individual's social networks?
How does unemployment influence an individual's social networks?
Which of the following is associated with a deeper meaning of work?
Which of the following is associated with a deeper meaning of work?
What is a consequence of strong organizational commitment according to the content?
What is a consequence of strong organizational commitment according to the content?
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According to Chan (2001), how do life experiences affect work meanings?
According to Chan (2001), how do life experiences affect work meanings?
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What became the backbone of society prior to the first industrial revolution?
What became the backbone of society prior to the first industrial revolution?
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What aspect of work is emphasized as being crucial for individual identity across various periods?
What aspect of work is emphasized as being crucial for individual identity across various periods?
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Which of the following best describes the evolution of work in relation to mechanistic mass production?
Which of the following best describes the evolution of work in relation to mechanistic mass production?
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Which of the following best describes the changes in job types during Industry 4.0?
Which of the following best describes the changes in job types during Industry 4.0?
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Which of the following sources of energy emerged alongside the industrial changes?
Which of the following sources of energy emerged alongside the industrial changes?
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In what way does the psychology of working contribute to the understanding of career well-being?
In what way does the psychology of working contribute to the understanding of career well-being?
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How has the perception of work changed over historical periods?
How has the perception of work changed over historical periods?
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What role did telecommunication technologies play in the evolution of work?
What role did telecommunication technologies play in the evolution of work?
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How has digitization impacted the traditional view of jobs?
How has digitization impacted the traditional view of jobs?
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Which statement is true about the concept of work in the pre-industrial era compared to the 21st century?
Which statement is true about the concept of work in the pre-industrial era compared to the 21st century?
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Which of these statements reflects a historical view on work's spiritual or religious significance?
Which of these statements reflects a historical view on work's spiritual or religious significance?
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What does digitisation and automation in industry 4.0 focus on?
What does digitisation and automation in industry 4.0 focus on?
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What is a key principle that influences the meaning of work in Industry 4.0?
What is a key principle that influences the meaning of work in Industry 4.0?
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What effect did the rise of mechanisation have on the workforce's motivation?
What effect did the rise of mechanisation have on the workforce's motivation?
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How can the core work values impact individual career choices?
How can the core work values impact individual career choices?
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What does the term 'precarious work' refer to in the context of the digital era?
What does the term 'precarious work' refer to in the context of the digital era?
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What was the primary perspective on work in pre-industrial societies according to the provided content?
What was the primary perspective on work in pre-industrial societies according to the provided content?
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How did the Industrial Age affect the personal commitment of workers?
How did the Industrial Age affect the personal commitment of workers?
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In post-industrial societies, what shift in focus regarding work is emphasized?
In post-industrial societies, what shift in focus regarding work is emphasized?
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What common view about work is reflected in Western-based societies?
What common view about work is reflected in Western-based societies?
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What do Islamic teachings suggest about personal labor?
What do Islamic teachings suggest about personal labor?
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Which period is characterized by work being fragmented due to an extensive division of labor?
Which period is characterized by work being fragmented due to an extensive division of labor?
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How does the concept of work differ between Western and African-based societies?
How does the concept of work differ between Western and African-based societies?
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In the evolution of work, what has been a significant change regarding agility and flexibility?
In the evolution of work, what has been a significant change regarding agility and flexibility?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a focus of value-driven product development?
Which of the following is NOT considered a focus of value-driven product development?
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What is the emerging concept of work focusing on personal strengths and capabilities?
What is the emerging concept of work focusing on personal strengths and capabilities?
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How do people engage with the notion of job meaning in their work?
How do people engage with the notion of job meaning in their work?
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What does role meaning primarily involve in the context of interpersonal sensemaking?
What does role meaning primarily involve in the context of interpersonal sensemaking?
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When discussing self-meaning, which aspect is emphasized?
When discussing self-meaning, which aspect is emphasized?
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What major shift in work focus has been highlighted in the 21st century?
What major shift in work focus has been highlighted in the 21st century?
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What impact does global competition have on organizations in the 21st century?
What impact does global competition have on organizations in the 21st century?
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How has the concept of 'job' changed according to recent organizational transitions?
How has the concept of 'job' changed according to recent organizational transitions?
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What is a consequence of the shift to smaller organizations in the 21st century?
What is a consequence of the shift to smaller organizations in the 21st century?
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In the context of family dynamics, what role does employment play?
In the context of family dynamics, what role does employment play?
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What does the concept of individuation in the context of work meaning primarily represent?
What does the concept of individuation in the context of work meaning primarily represent?
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How does unemployment commonly affect individuals according to socio-economic factors?
How does unemployment commonly affect individuals according to socio-economic factors?
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Which type of classism is defined as an internal process affecting individuals after job loss?
Which type of classism is defined as an internal process affecting individuals after job loss?
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What characterizes underemployment in the workforce?
What characterizes underemployment in the workforce?
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What does the term 'work centrality' refer to in an individual's life?
What does the term 'work centrality' refer to in an individual's life?
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Which group is noted for perceiving work as a central life interest more than others?
Which group is noted for perceiving work as a central life interest more than others?
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Which of the following statements regarding work centrality is accurate?
Which of the following statements regarding work centrality is accurate?
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What shift has occurred in understanding the meaning of work in contemporary career development theory?
What shift has occurred in understanding the meaning of work in contemporary career development theory?
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What do work values primarily represent?
What do work values primarily represent?
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Which factor does NOT contribute to the formation of individual values?
Which factor does NOT contribute to the formation of individual values?
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What is a potential consequence of individuals with high work centrality regarding job performance?
What is a potential consequence of individuals with high work centrality regarding job performance?
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What does 'self-determination' in the context of work refer to?
What does 'self-determination' in the context of work refer to?
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Which value represents the individual’s desire for economic rewards from work?
Which value represents the individual’s desire for economic rewards from work?
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What is a key characteristic of the internal process of classism known as internalised classism?
What is a key characteristic of the internal process of classism known as internalised classism?
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Study Notes
Lecture 2: The Meaning of Work
- The prescribed reading for this lecture is Cantone 2016.
- Refer to the module guide for the full reference.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the importance and meaning of work for people in general.
- Discuss various meanings of work across different time periods (pre-industrial, industrial, post-industrial, 21st century, and digital era/Industry 4.0).
- Discuss core principles and issues embedded in the psychology of working.
- Discuss work as a central-life interest.
- Discuss work and career values influencing the meaning of work
Discussion: What is the meaning of work?
- Work is a central human activity undertaken for compensation (Capelli & Keller, 2013).
- Work exists in occupational and social contexts, including family, community, and workplaces (Stebleton, 2012).
What is the Meaning of Work? (continued)
- Industry 4.0 (digital era) is rapidly transforming work globally.
- Digitization, interconnectivity, automation, and smart technology are key aspects of this era.
- Technological advancements and economic/labor market uncertainty are fundamentally altering employment, jobs, and society (McKinsey Global Institute, 2015; Hirschi, 2018).
The Impact of the Digital Era
- Traditional employment models might be reduced (e.g., 9-to-5 jobs).
- Precarious work, job uncertainty, and insecure employment are increasing.
- New work types, jobs, and occupations are emerging (gig economy, freelance, temporary).
- A shift towards online marketplaces and entrepreneurial mindsets is evident.
- Examples of new work include freelance work, side hustles, temporary, project-driven work.
Discussion (Continued)
- Analyze examples of traditional occupations that have disappeared and new types of work that have emerged.
- Detail the job descriptions, the tasks involved, and reasons for their disappearance or emergence in the digital age.
Decent Work
- Decent work is a fundamental human right.
- It involves just and favorable remuneration and promotes social justice.
- Decent work ensures workers and their families have a dignified existence.
- Decent work contributes to individual well-being and community welfare.
- It considers social connection and self-determination, as well as needs for survival and power (Duffy, Douglass, Autin & Allan, 2016).
The Concept of Work Has a Range of Possible Meanings
- Work encompasses the significance of working on people's lives.
- It is a critical element in sustaining life (biological survival and quality of life).
- Work's importance often exceeds those of other areas (leisure, community, and religion) (Harpaz & Fu, 2002).
- Working leads to fulfillment and completion.
- Work values generate benefits like life satisfaction, a stronger sense of purpose and well-being.
The Concept of Work Has a Range of Possible Meanings
- Different meanings of work stem from different values associated with work (e.g., making a living, fulfilling a vocation, developing skills, fulfilling needs, contributing to a lifestyle, fulfilling a life purpose).
- Social, cultural contexts (family, school, socialisation, work experience) influence individual interpretations.
- Historical contexts shape evolving meanings of work across time.
- The digital era will create new meanings related to work and employment.
- Shift in people’s mindsets will create new meanings of work.
The Evolving Meaning of Work Over Time
- Work's meaning and organization has changed over time.
- These changes can be characterized according to specific historical periods in industry.
- These periods include: pre-industrial, industrial, post-industrial, 21st century, and digital eras.
Evolving Meanings Associated with Work
- Work in Pre-industrial era was often seen as 'drudgery,' instrumental to religious/spiritual ends.
- Industrial era saw a shift away from spiritual/religious meaning towards more mechanistic/economically motivated aspects.
- Mass production diminished work's intrinsic meaning in some contexts.
- In Post-industrial era, meanings sought outside the workplace, with job roles changing.
- 21st-century work became more varied, driven by information.
- Digital era work is dynamic/fluid and socially constructed, emphasizing self-meaning, role meaning, and job meaning.
The Evolving Meanings Associated with Work
- Information technology and globalization created multicultural viewpoints about the meaning of work.
- Boundaryless, service-driven, and technology-intensive work environments are common.
The Meaning of Work in the 21st Century
- Work provides social status and social identity.
- It connects people to family, social groups, and community.
- Unemployment/underemployment impacts individuals negatively through isolation and feelings of failure, shame, and lacking survival/economic sustainability.
- Factors such as life satisfaction, job performance, career commitment.
- Personal sensemaking about work is also considered (Chan, 2001).
The Meaning of Work in the 21st Century (continued)
- Understanding self-meaning, job meaning, role meaning, and how work fits into people's lives will inform the way work is approached (in theory and practice).
- Work's centrality is a key factor.
Transitions in the 21st-Century World of Work
- Globalization, mergers/acquisitions, restructuring/downsizing, and privatization are organizational transitions.
- They affect job/work meaning, job roles, and the overall work environment.
Psychology of Work
- The psychology of work (POW) recognizes that work fulfills three basic needs:
- Physical survival (safety, security, food, clothing).
- Psychological power (education, status, prestige, material success).
- Social connectedness (colleagues, supervisors, community)
- Working promotes a sense of self-determination and one’s authentic identity.
Psychology of Work Theory
- Value congruence is the alignment between an individual's core values and the organization's values.
- Social class significantly influences the meaning of work, particularly for those in lower socio-economic levels.
Reflection
- Reflect on personal life experiences and how cultural backgrounds affect career decisions and work meaning.
Review Questions (for Revision)
- What is the significance of work in people's lives?
- Summarize different meanings of work across various historical periods (pre-industrial to the digital era/Industry 4.0).
- Explain the key psychological principles influencing work meaning.
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Description
Explore the various meanings of work through different historical contexts including pre-industrial, industrial, and the digital era. Understand the psychological principles affecting the perception of work and how it serves as a central-life interest for individuals. This lecture will provide a comprehensive overview of work's significance in contemporary society.
