Advancing the Theory of Purposeful Work Behavior: Insights and Future Directions from a Decade of Research
Keywords:
Purposeful work behavior, work motivation, meaningful work, job designAbstract
Over the past decade, research on purposeful work behavior has expanded significantly, illuminating how employees derive meaning, motivation, and well-being from their roles. This paper synthesizes key theoretical developments and empirical findings that have advanced the understanding of purposeful work behavior, including the roles of job design, leadership, individual differences, and organizational context. It critically examines conceptual frameworks such as self-determination theory, job crafting, and prosocial motivation, highlighting their contributions and limitations. The review also identifies persistent gaps and emerging questions regarding the measurement of purpose, cross-cultural variations, and the dynamic interplay between purpose and performance outcomes. Finally, the paper proposes a research agenda to guide future inquiries, emphasizing the need for longitudinal designs, multi-level analyses, and integrative models that capture the complex nature of purposeful work. This synthesis aims to inform scholars and practitioners seeking to foster work environments where purpose and performance coexist.
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