The structure of the meaning of work: A relative stability amidst change

Abstract

The theoretical and empirical literature assumes stability of important attitudes and values. Accordingly, this study examined the hypothesis that the structure of the meaning of work will remain stable over time. This hypothesis was tested on two independent samples of the Israeli labour force. The first (n = 407) was a group of individuals who were interviewed twice, once in 1981 and again in 1993. The second was a new representative sample (n = 942) of the labour force, assembled in 1993, to serve as a comparison with the first sample. The findings generally support the hypothesis regarding the stability over time of the structure of the meaning of work concept.