Original Research

Exploring a model for finding meaning in the changing world of work (Part 2)

Daniel H. Burger, Freddie Crous, Gert Roodt
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology | Vol 38, No 1 | a968 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v38i1.968 | © 2012 Daniel H. Burger, Freddie Crous, Gert Roodt | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 11 February 2011 | Published: 05 June 2012

About the author(s)

Daniel H. Burger, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Freddie Crous, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Gert Roodt, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: This article explores the role that meaning, as logotherapy conceptualises it, can play to facilitate organisational changes.

Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore further a model an earlier paper proposed for using employees’ experiences of meaning in work contexts to facilitate changes.

Motivation for the study: The researchers could not find a comprehensive model in the literature for addressing employees’ experiences of meaning in, or at, work during organisational changes. A previous paper proposed such a model, but it addressed only one component fully. This article seeks to explore this model further to address this apparent gap in the literature.

Research design, approach and method: The researchers used a literature review to conduct the study. The components of the model directed this review in order to find meaning at work.

Main findings: The actions of organisations, which aim to create positive organisational contexts (through practices for improving meaning at work and transcendence) and to frame changes using ‘Logo-OD’, can improve employees’ experiences of meaning during organisational changes.

Practical/managerial implications: Understanding the relationship between meaning and organisational change, and applying the model this article presents, can contribute to the overall success of change initiatives.

Contribution/value-add: This study’s primary contribution stems from the novel framework it presents for organisations to use the knowledge about how employees search for meaning to facilitate changes.


Keywords

Organisation development (OD); logotherapy; Viktor Frankl; Logo-OD; Literature review

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Crossref Citations

1. Enhancing the well-being of support services staff in higher education: The power of appreciation
Laurika Van Straaten, Annelize Du Plessis, S.P. Fanus Van Tonder
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology  vol: 42  issue: 1  year: 2016  
doi: 10.4102/sajip.v42i1.1301