Work is a fundamental aspect of life, providing structure, a means of survival, connection to others and optimally, a means of self-determination. Its importance is acknowledged by many, yet it remains subject to a wide range of definitions and interpretations. Often, the term ‘work’ is restricted to specific employment contexts and associated processes, such as paid employment or volunteerism, or a particular form of remuneration (e.g. salary or wages). This standard view limits the meaning of work to a narrow domain and therefore constrains research on the topic.
In the scholarly literature, a broad range of definitions for work are presented and argued. Some of these are based on philosophical or psychological foundations while others are more pragmatic. Some definitions are framed in terms of a human need to express professional identity, achieve self-worth and feel meaningfully connected, while others focus on the process and outcomes of work such as productivity, effectiveness or the ability to generate wealth and well-being.
This article identifies, explains and discusses these different definitions of work. It also explores emergent perspectives on the nature and meaning of work which are beginning to appear in the scholarly literature.
The term ‘work’ is a complex and contested concept, influenced by societal trends that have evolved alongside work practices and the development of technology and automation. The traditional definition of work is associated with the industrialisation of society and equates to labour remuneration in return for an exchange of goods or services. This definition has driven the majority of scholarly analysis and discussion on work, although in recent years a number of academics have challenged its dominance and called for a more nuanced understanding of the notion of work (Harpaz and Fu, 2002; Blustein, 2011).
Scientifically, work is defined as the transfer of energy from one object to another through a displacement. It is measured in units known as the joule, named after English physicist James Prescott Joule (1718-1889). It is equal to force times distance, and is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction.
People’s daily activities, whether at a job, in education, volunteering or with family and friends, involve some type of work for them. These activities change the lives of those involved, and may also change the world around them. These changes are often hard to quantify, but they can be very real and have a profound effect on people’s lives.
Changing the world and making a difference are some of the most noble reasons to do work. These motivations can be fulfilled in a wide variety of ways, including tackling big issues, working with others and creating new things. It is important to consider what types of work motivate individuals, and how those motivations can be encouraged and nurtured in the workplace. This will help companies better understand the future of work and what they need to do to enable it to evolve into an activity that cultivates questing and connecting dispositions while enabling people to make more impact that matters.