Could self-centrism rust the glitter of meaningful work? Exploring the darker sides of the construct

Abstract

Purpose The paper explores if individuals experiencing deeply meaningful work turn self-centric and therein they negatively affect people around them. It also discusses ways to attenuate this darker effect of meaningful work. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with supervisors, peers, subordinates, and family of 24 executives in the Indian Aeronautical Manufacturing Sector who scored high on the Meaningful Work scale in another empirical study carried out by the authors in early 2019. Findings Individuals experiencing deeply Meaningful Work get self-centric, at times, where nothing beyond work appeals to them. This negatively affects their camaraderie at work and family ties. Originality/value The paper adds to the scarce literature on the darker side of Meaningful Work by exploring its effect on breeding self-centrism using an Indian sample.