Finding Meaning in the Every Day: An in-depth investigation of meaningful work experiences
Open Access
Author:
Harrison, Michelle M
Graduate Program:
Psychology
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
June 20, 2008
Committee Members:
Jeanette Cleveland, Committee Member James Lewis Farr, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Susan Mohammed, Committee Member David Manuel Almeida, Committee Member
Keywords:
transformational leadership work events daily diary meaningful work
Abstract:
Previous research on the meaning of work has focused primarily on static perceptions of the meaning of one’s job or work in general, neglecting any dynamic experience of meaning. This study took a daily diary approach to understand narratives of the daily events individuals find meaningful, examining both within-individual and between-individual effects. Additionally, individual differences, including personality, gender, age, and transformational leadership, were examined as predictors of the frequency, intensity, and types of meaningful daily events. The influence of leadership, in particular, was found to be a major contribution to meaningful work experiences, providing support for transformational leadership theory. Finally, the current study examined work performance and affect as outcomes of experiencing daily meaning on the job, finding that the experience of meaningful work events was an important predictor of daily positive affect. Implications and recommendations for future research are also highlighted.
