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The Experience of Untapped Potential: Towards a Subjective Temporal Understanding of Work Meaningfulness

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  • Giverny De Boeck
  • Nicky Dries
  • Hans Tierens

Abstract

In this paper, we propose that untapped potential acts as a subjective temporal meaning‐making mechanism. Using a two‐wave survey design, we examine the relationship between job characteristics, untapped potential, and work meaningfulness in a heterogeneous sample of 542 employees. We found that employees’ perceived amount of untapped potential mediates the effects of skill variety, autonomy, and job feedback on work meaningfulness. This mediated relationship was moderated by the valence employees attributed to their untapped potential. Moreover, decreases in the perceived amount of untapped potential over time were related to increases in perceived work meaningfulness. Our research shows that work that allows employees to move beyond the here‐and‐now by providing opportunities to realize future work selves is experienced as particularly meaningful. We conclude that, if we wish to understand what makes work meaningful for employees in the present, we need to know how it aligns with their self‐perceptions in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Giverny De Boeck & Nicky Dries & Hans Tierens, 2019. "The Experience of Untapped Potential: Towards a Subjective Temporal Understanding of Work Meaningfulness," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(3), pages 529-557, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:56:y:2019:i:3:p:529-557
    DOI: 10.1111/joms.12417
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    Cited by:

    1. Jehanzeb Khan Gurmani & Noor Ullah Khan & Muhammad Khalique & Muhammad Yasir & Asfia Obaid & Nur Ain Ayunni Sabri, 2021. "Do Environmental Transformational Leadership Predicts Organizational Citizenship Behavior towards Environment in Hospitality Industry: Using Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-29, May.
    2. Sagit Shilo-Levin & Amit Shrira & Yaakov Hoffman, 2021. "Feeling Older can be Advantageous: A Study on Generativity, Meaning in Work and Life Satisfaction in Israeli Workplaces," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 2873-2887, October.
    3. Zhining Wang & Shuang Ren & Doren Chadee & Yuhang Chen, 2024. "Employee Ethical Silence Under Exploitative Leadership: The Roles of Work Meaningfulness and Moral Potency," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 190(1), pages 59-76, February.
    4. Mai Chi Vu & Roger Gill, 2023. "Are Leaders Responsible for Meaningful Work? Perspectives from Buddhist-Enacted Leaders and Buddhist Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(2), pages 347-370, October.
    5. Sandrine Frémeaux & François Henry, 2023. "Temporality and Meaningful Entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(4), pages 725-739, December.
    6. Tuure Haarjärvi & Sari Laari-Salmela, 2022. "Examining the Role of Dignity in the Experience of Meaningfulness: a Process-Relational View on Meaningful Work," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 417-440, December.

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