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Meaningful work in the digital age

Henstra, C.T. (2020) Meaningful work in the digital age.

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Abstract:Despite the increased scholarly and practical interest in the concept of meaningful work, many studies have neglected the current trends and developments in terms of workplace digitalization, which could potentially diminish feelings of meaningfulness among employees (Symon & Whiting, 2019). Moreover, many studies fail to capture what HR managers can do to guarantee meaningful work in such a digital work context. To address this, the following research question will be examined: “How can the key characteristics of meaningful work be used by HR managers in the international hospitality industry to foster meaningful work in a digital work environment?” The results of the systematic literature review revealed that one of the key characteristics of meaningful work is its subjective nature, which plays a central role in the question of how HR professionals can stimulate meaningful work. Based on this subjectivity, it is proposed that HR professionals can foster a meaningful work environment by customizing jobs (e.g. through job crafting) based on an individual's inner desires and values. In addition, the review found that, as a result of workplace digitalization, meaningful work perceptions can both be hindered and fostered. Following this argumentation, this paper proposes that regardless of whether an organizational context is digital or not, HR professionals can stimulate meaningful work by personalizing jobs and designing flexible digital structures that are open to autonomy and job crafting.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Business Administration MSc (60644)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/82997
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