University of Twente Student Theses
The feelings of psychological ownership amongst blue-collar workers: an ethnography
Zwiers, P. (2017) The feelings of psychological ownership amongst blue-collar workers: an ethnography.
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to uncover in which ways psychological ownership manifests itself in blue-collar work and how psychological ownership is perceived amongst blue-collar workers. A blue-collar occupation is considered to be low complexity work. Job crafting was used as a lens to take a new look upon the concept of psychological ownership. The method used for this study was the ethnography, which consisted of observations combined with interviews of five mechanics in the field of utilities (gas and electrics) in the Netherlands. Contrary to previous findings in literature the study shows that it is possible to gain feelings of psychological ownership in a low complex job such as a blue-collar occupation. Job crafting behaviors and psychological ownership behaviors show to be intertwined concepts: both behaviors seem to take place at the same time. The study provides the field with a new understanding of psychological ownership being situational and relational instead of feelings of ownership being a constant state of mind. For future research, it is recommended to do more inquiry into the connection between psychological ownership and job crafting behaviors to better understand how these two concepts are related. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies, 71 sociology, 77 psychology, 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Communication Studies MSc (60713) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/72464 |
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