Searching for meaning in a disruptive world – Constructing a lexicon of the meanings of meaning

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Searching for meaning in a disruptive world – Constructing a lexicon of the meanings of meaning
 
Creator de Klerk, Jeremias J.
 
Subject organisational behaviour; existential psychology meaning; lexicon; meaning in life; meaningful work; meaning at work, meaning in work, meaning through work
Description Orientation: Meaning is not a concept whose significance needs to be debated anymore. Rather, the meaning of meaning is a concept that needs more clarity to improve its understanding.Research purpose: In this paper, the construct of meaning is deconstructed to develop a lexicon of the respective meanings of meaning, especially as they apply to the domain of work.Motivation for the study: Descriptions of the various meanings of meaning tend to be lost across many different journal articles and books. More clarity regarding the meanings of meaning and how they compare and relate with each other is essential to promote valid research and influential practice in this field.Research approach/design and method: Theoretical research is conducted through a literature study and the meanings of meaning are determined through theory synthesis and topical analyses.Main findings: Meaning is a multidimensional construct, especially as it applies to the work context. The concept of meaning in life is distinct and should be distinguished from related concepts, such as the meaning of work, meaning at work, meaning in work, and meaningful work.Practical/managerial implications: By clarifying meanings of meaning, the lexicon provides a unique reference work for scholars, and an essential guide for practitioners in the fields of psychology, industrial and organisational psychology, and even psychiatry, who aspire to advance and promote meaningfulness in their work contexts.Contribution/value-add: As far as could be established, this is the first lexicon of the meanings of meaning in one easy-to-use compendium, for accurate comparison and reference.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2023-02-03
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Conceptual research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajip.v49i0.2060
 
Source SA Journal of Industrial Psychology; Vol 49 (2023); 10 pages 2071-0763 0258-5200
 
Language eng
 
Relation
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https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/2060/3619 https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/2060/3620 https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/2060/3621 https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/2060/3622
 
Coverage — — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2023 Jeremias J. de Klerk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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