Developing a logotheoretic lens to study the existential constituent of meaningful work (full paper presented at EGOS Cagliari 2023)




Salo Mia M. A.

39th EGOS Colloquium, Cagliari 2023

2023

https://www.egos.org/jart/prj3/egos/main.jart?rel=de&reserve-mode=active&content-id=1658501434997&subtheme_id=1637466406408



In organizational studies, a focal area of research on meaningfulness lies in the literature on meaningful work. This literature suggests an existential constituent best captures something that deeply matters to individuals, that is, what ‘meaningful’ at its core implies in the work context or life in general. Consequently, in the last ten years, the term existential has increasingly been included in the definitions of meaningful work. However, from a theory elaboration perspective, this existential constituent, its relation to the underlying view of man and to the nature of meaning, has received little attention. Consequently, what the word 'meaningful' in the context of meaningful work signifies becomes blurred. Drawing on Viktor E. Frankl’s logotheory–a normative theory of meaning and values connected to a distinct philosophy of man, and encapsulating an existential approach to meaning and human existence–, this conceptual paper develops a logotheoretic lens to better identify and theorize the human phenomenon of meaningfulness, and hence, what counts as meaningful and on what basis. Building on this, future research avenues to advance theory on meaningful work are suggested. The paper also contributes to appreciating logotheory as a theoretical framework. Logotheory constitutes the theoretical foundation of logotherapy.



Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 20:29