Work

What makes work meaningful? A mixed-methods study exploring the relationship between meaningfulness and engagement among young higher education professionals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This mixed-methods study explored how young professionals in higher education experienced meaningful work and the relationship between meaningfulness and work engagement. Using the Job Characteristics Model (JCM), the study examined how skill variety, task identity, and task significance contributed to experienced meaningfulness and engagement. Thirteen full-time employees (ages 25-35) at U.S. four-year higher education institutions completed a survey and participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed a strong correlation between overall meaningfulness and engagement. Qualitative data affirmed the findings and the JCM, while also surfacing deeper insights on the different ways the job characteristics and individual factors were perceived and experienced when categorized by engagement level. In addition, a new factor emerged from the study defined as collaboration across the institution. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of intentional job design and organizational practices to cultivate meaningful and engaging work for young professionals.

Source: Pepperdine Digital Commons (Pepperdine University)

Author: Murakami, Melody S.

Institution: Pepperdine University

Language: English

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Quality education

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7203958473

FWCI:

Cites: 22

Cited by:

Related to: 10