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Self-transcendence and meaningful work

Self-transcendence and meaningful work

Madden, Adrian ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3193-5808 and Bailey, Catherine (2019) Self-transcendence and meaningful work. In: Yeoman, Ruth, Bailey, Catherine, Madden, Adrian ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3193-5808 and Thompson, Marc, (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work. Oxford Handbooks . Oxford University Press, UK. ISBN 978-0198788232 (doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198788232.013.8)

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Abstract

Self-transcendence is a concept often evoked in different approaches to meaningful work, but which lacks clarity. This chapter considers how the subjective experience of meaningful work, centering on significance and purpose, gives rise to the idea of meaningfulness as the realization of human potential, by connecting the inner and the outer life along spiritual and social dimensions. It points to a conceptualization of self-transcendence that places greater emphasis on the intersubjective nature of meaningfulness. This raises questions such as: if meaningfulness is self-transcendent, where and how is meaning created? If transcendence denotes “beyondness” of the here and now, what does this mean in terms of the nature of work tasks and roles? If self-transcendence is an ineffable, transitory state, what might this mean for research into meaningful work? A shift in the emphasis of future research is necessary if we are to understand the self-transcendent nature of experienced meaningfulness.

Item Type: Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords: self-transcendence, spirituality, alienation, significant work, beyondness, callings, intersubjectivity
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Business
Faculty of Business > Centre for Work and Employment Research (CREW)
Faculty of Business > Department of Human Resources & Organisational Behaviour
Last Modified: 19 May 2020 14:12
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/20172

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