This special issue addresses the interconnected but distinct concepts of meaning, meaningfulness, and purpose in work contexts. The call recognizes that while multiple career theories incorporate meaning-related dimensions, these concepts remain closely intertwined and often used interchangeably, creating conceptual confusion. The editors aim to clarify how meaning relates to personal interpretations and values, meaningfulness to emotional fulfillment and engagement, and purpose to long-term direction and aspirations.
The special issue seeks theoretical and empirical contributions that advance understanding of how people derive significance from their work and what sustains fulfillment over time. The focus is on positive impact and purposeful work rather than career success generally, with the goal of integrating these dimensions into a comprehensive framework for understanding human fulfillment at work.
The call welcomes submissions from researchers worldwide examining how work aligns with values, provides decent conditions, interacts with technology and life roles, enables calling and transcendent goals, and sustains meaning across careers.