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Facilitating a Meaningful Work Situation—A Double-Edged Sword?

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The Positive Side of Occupational Health Psychology

Abstract

For employees in today’s society, work fulfils a wide range of functions. Work is not only important in terms of invome, it is also a source of identity, of positive self-image and a sense of meaningfulness (Alvesson, 2001; Noon & Blyton, 2007; Wrzesniewski, LoBuglio, Dutton, & Berg, 2013). In this chapter, we explore how meaningful work can be facilitated. First, we explain what is meant by meaningful work. Second, we examine artistic interventions as an organizational strategy for facilitating and stimulating a meaningful working situation. Finally, we discuss the concept of meaning and if striving for meaning is actually desired, or should be desired, by all employees, and at all times.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

    Thomas Christian Espenes & Fay Giæver

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  1. Thomas Christian Espenes
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  2. Fay Giæver
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Correspondence to Fay Giæver .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway

    Marit Christensen

  2. Department of Psychology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway

    Per Øystein Saksvik

  3. Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom

    Maria Karanika-Murray

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Espenes, T.C., Giæver, F. (2017). Facilitating a Meaningful Work Situation—A Double-Edged Sword?. In: Christensen, M., Saksvik, P., Karanika-Murray, M. (eds) The Positive Side of Occupational Health Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66781-2_4

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