Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

İşin Anlamı (Meaningful Work) Başlıklı Yapılan Çalışmaların Web of Science Veri Tabanına Dayalı Bibliyometrik Analizi

Year 2025, Volume: 18 Issue: Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı, 1 - 20, 30.10.2025

Abstract

ÖZ
Modern çalışma yaşamında yalnızca ekonomik kazanç değil, bireysel anlam ve amaç duygusu da giderek daha fazla önem kazanmaktadır. Bu çerçevede, “işin anlamı” kavramı, çok disiplinli araştırmaların merkezinde yer alan kritik bir konu hâline gelmiştir. Bu çalışma, işin anlamına yönelik bilimsel üretimi daha yakından incelemek amacıyla bibliyometrik bir analiz sunmaktadır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, Web of Science veri tabanına dayalı olarak İşin Anlamı (Meaningful Work) başlıklı yapılan çalışmaların bibliyometrik analizi yapılmıştır. Konu ile ilgili yapılan çalışmalar incelenirken; çalışmaların yılı, döküman türü, bilim dalı, ülkesi, en fazla yayın yapan araştırmacılar ve en fazla atıf alan çalışmalar incelenmiştir. Bunların yanı sıra ortak yazarlık, yazarların, ülkelerin, kurumların atıf analizleri, anahtar kelime analizi ve metinlerin bibliyografik eşleşme analizi yapılmıştır. Web of Science veri tabanında indekslenen farklı türdeki yayınlar analiz birimi olarak alınmıştır. Bibliyometrik analizler ve görselleştirmeler için VOSviewer programı kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada 1982-2025 yılları arasında işin anlamı başlıklı 438 yapılan çalışma incelenmiştir. Araştırmaya konu olan çalışmalar incelendiğinde en çok çalışmanın 2023 (61) yılında yapıldığı, en çok yayın yapan yazarın Allan, Blake A. (14) olduğu, en fazla çalışmanın işletme ekonomisi araştırma alanında (174) yapıldığı, web of science kategorisinde yönetim (112) alanında en fazla çalışmanın bulunduğu, en fazla çalışmanın USA (Amerika Birleşik Devletleri)’de yapıldığı, en çok yayın türü olarak makale (359) yazıldığı, en çok çalışmanın (20) Journal and Business Ethics dergisinde yer aldığı görülmüştür. İşin anlamı konusunun iş yaşamı, bireyin yaşamı ve işi açısından dikkate alındığında elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda daha fazla yayına ihtiyaç olduğu, araştırmacılara yol göstereceği öngörülmektedir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: İşin Anlamı, İş, Anlam, Bibliyometrik Analiz, Web of Science Veri Tabanı.

References

  • Albrecht, S. L., Green, C. R., & Marty, A. (2021). Meaningful Work, Job Resources, and Employee Engagement. Sustainability, 13(7), 4045. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13074045.
  • Allan, B. A., Batz-Barbarich, C., Sterling, H. M., & Tay, L. (2019). Outcomes of Meaningful Work: A Meta‐Analysis. Journal of Management Studies, 56(3), 500-528. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12406.
  • Arnold, K. A., Turner, N., Barling, J., Kelloway, E. K., & McKee, M. C. (2007). Transformational Leadership and Psychological Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Meaningful Work. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 12(3), 193. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/1076-8998.12.3.193.
  • Bailey, C., & Madden, A. (2016). What Makes Work Meaningful—or Meaningless. MIT Sloan Management Review, 57(4), 53–61.https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/what-makes-work-meaningful-or-meaningless..
  • Bunderson, J. S., & Thompson, J. A. (2009). The Call of The Wild: Zookeepers, Callings, and The Double-Edged Sword of Deeply Meaningful Work. Administrative Science Quarterly, 54(1), 32-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.32.
  • Chalofsky, N. (2003). An emerging construct for meaningful work. Human Resource Development International, 6(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/1367886022000016785.
  • Dirik, D., Eryılmaz, İ. ve Erhan, T. (2023). Post-truth Kavramı Üzerine Yapılan Çalışmaların VOSviewer ile Bibliyometrik Analizi. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review, 4(2), 164-188. http://dx.doi.org/10.54733/smar.1271369.
  • Frankl, V. E. (1985). Man's Search for Meaning. Simon and Schuster.
  • Keleş, H. N. (2017). Anlamlı İş ile Psikolojik İyi Oluş İlişkisi. The Journal of Happiness And Well-Being. 5(1), 154 167.
  • Hackman, J. R. and Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of The Job Diagnostic Survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60(2), 159-170.
  • Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation Through The Design of Work: Test of A Theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(76)90016-7.
  • Jalil, M. F., & Ali, A. The Influence of Meaningful Work on The Mental Health of SME Employees in The COVID-19 Era: Can Coping Strategies Mediate The Relationship?. (2023). BMC Public Health,23(1), 2435 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17347-3.
  • Laaser, K., & Karlsson, J. Ch. (2023). Meaningful Work. In The Politics of Working Life and Meaningful Waged Work (pp. 1–16). chapter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Lease, S., Ingram, C., & Brown, E. (2019). Stress and Health Outcomes: Do Meaningful Work and Physical Activity Help?. Journal of Career Development, 46, 251- 264. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845317741370.
  • Magnano, P., Santisi, G., Zammitti, A., Zarbo, R., & Di Nuovo, S. (2019). Self-Perceived Employability and Meaningful Work: The Mediating Role of Courage on Quality of Life. Sustainability, 11(3), 764. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030764.
  • Michaelson, C., Pratt, M. G., Grant, A. M., & Dunn, C. P. (2014). Meaningful Work: Connecting Business Ethics and Organization Studies. Journal of Business Ethics, 121(1), 77-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1675-5.
  • Neves, D.R., Nascimento, R.P., Felix, Jr, M.S., Silva, F.A.D., & Andrade, R.O.B.D. (2018). Meaning and Significance of Work: A Review of Articles Published in Journals Associated with The Scientific Periodicals Electronic Library. Cadernos EBAPE. BR, 16(2), 318–330. https://doi.org/10.1590/1679-395159388.
  • Pratt, M. G., & Ashforth, B. E. (2003). Fostering Meaningfulness in Working and At Work. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton, & R. E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive Organizational Scholarship (pp. 309–327). Berrett-Koehler.
  • Rothausen, T., & Henderson, K. (2019). Meaning-Based Job-Related Well-being: Exploring a Meaningful Work Conceptualization of Job Satisfaction. Journal of Business and Psychology, 34, 357-376. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10869-018-9545-X.
  • Rosso, B. D., Dekas, K. H., & Wrzesniewski, A. (2010). On The Meaning of Work: A Theoretical Integration and Review. Research in Organizational Behavior, 30, 91–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2010.09.001.
  • Saari, T., Leinonen, M., & Tapanila, K. (2022). Sources of Meaningful Work for Blue-Collar Workers. Social Sciences, 11(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11010002.
  • Schwartz, A. (1982). Meaningful Work. Ethics. 92 (4), 634-646. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/292380
  • Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive Psychology: An Introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5.
  • Spencer, D. A. (2024). Efficiency vs. Meaningful Work: A Critical Survey of Historical and Contemporary Debates. Contributions to Political Economy, 43(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1093/cpe/bzae009.
  • Steger, M. F., Dik, B. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2012). Measuring Meaningful Work: The Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI). Journal of Career Assessment, 20(3), 322-337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072711436160.
  • Suyatno, S., Pambudi, D. I., Wantini, W., Abdurrohim, A., & Mardati, A. (2022). The Mediating Role of Meaning at Work in Promoting Teacher Commitment and Reducing Burnout. Frontiers in Education, 7, 962163. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.962163.
  • Tan, K. L., Sim, A. K., Yap, S. S. N., Vithayaporn, S., & Rachmawati, A. W. (2023). A Systematic Review of Meaningful Work Unifying 20 Years of Theoretical and Substantive Contributions (2000–2020). Journal of Advances in Management Research, 20(3), 462-512. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-11-2022-0225.
  • Uzunbacak, H. H., & Akçakanat, T. (2018). İşin Anlamı, Zindelik, Mutluluk ve İş Tatmini İlişkileri Üzerine Görgül Bir Araştırma. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 17(68), 1691-1702. http://dx.doi.org/10.17755/esosder.432208.
  • Yeoman, R. (2014). Conceptualising Meaningful Work as A Fundamental Human Need. Journal of Business Ethics, 125(2), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1894-9.
  • Van Wingerden J. & Van der Stoep J. (2018).The Motivational Potential of Meaningful Work: Relationships with Strengths Use, Work Engagement, and Performance. PLoS ONE, 13(6), e0197599. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197599.
  • Wandycz-Mejias, J., Roldán, J. L., & López Cabrales, Á. (2024). Analyzing The Impact of Work Meaningfulness on Turnover Intentions and Job Satisfaction: A Self-determination Theory Perspective. Journal of Management & Organization, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2024.42.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Studies Titled “Meaningful Work” Based on the Web of Science Database

Year 2025, Volume: 18 Issue: Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı, 1 - 20, 30.10.2025

Abstract

ABSTRACT
In modern work life, not only economic gain but also the sense of individual meaning and purpose is increasingly valued. Within this context, the concept of “meaningful work” has become a critical topic at the center of multidisciplinary research. This study presents a bibliometric analysis aimed at closely examining the scientific production related to meaningful work. Accordingly, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on studies titled “Meaningful Work” based on the Web of Science database. In examining the relevant literature, variables such as publication year, document type, research area, country, most prolific authors, and the most cited studies were analyzed. In addition, co-authorship, citation analyses of authors, countries, and institutions, keyword analysis, and bibliographic coupling analysis of the texts were conducted. Various types of publications indexed in the Web of Science database were taken as units of analysis. VOSviewer software was used for the bibliometric analyses and visualizations.In total, 438 studies with the title "Meaningful Work" published between 1982 and 2025 were examined. The analysis revealed that the highest number of studies were published in 2023 (61), the most prolific author was Allan, Blake A. (14 publications), and the majority of studies were conducted in the field of Business Economics (174). Within the Web of Science categories, the highest number of studies were found in the Management field (112). The United States (USA) was the leading country in terms of the number of publications, and the most common document type was journal articles (359). Additionally, the journal that included the highest number of studies (20) was the Journal of Business Ethics. Considering the significance of meaningful work in terms of work life, individual well-being, and the broader concept of work, the findings indicate that there is a need for further research in this area. The results are also expected to serve as a guide for future researchers.
Keywords: Meaningful Work, Work, Meaning, Bibliometric Analysis, Web of Science Data Base.

References

  • Albrecht, S. L., Green, C. R., & Marty, A. (2021). Meaningful Work, Job Resources, and Employee Engagement. Sustainability, 13(7), 4045. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13074045.
  • Allan, B. A., Batz-Barbarich, C., Sterling, H. M., & Tay, L. (2019). Outcomes of Meaningful Work: A Meta‐Analysis. Journal of Management Studies, 56(3), 500-528. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12406.
  • Arnold, K. A., Turner, N., Barling, J., Kelloway, E. K., & McKee, M. C. (2007). Transformational Leadership and Psychological Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Meaningful Work. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 12(3), 193. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/1076-8998.12.3.193.
  • Bailey, C., & Madden, A. (2016). What Makes Work Meaningful—or Meaningless. MIT Sloan Management Review, 57(4), 53–61.https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/what-makes-work-meaningful-or-meaningless..
  • Bunderson, J. S., & Thompson, J. A. (2009). The Call of The Wild: Zookeepers, Callings, and The Double-Edged Sword of Deeply Meaningful Work. Administrative Science Quarterly, 54(1), 32-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.2189/asqu.2009.54.1.32.
  • Chalofsky, N. (2003). An emerging construct for meaningful work. Human Resource Development International, 6(1), 69–83. https://doi.org/10.1080/1367886022000016785.
  • Dirik, D., Eryılmaz, İ. ve Erhan, T. (2023). Post-truth Kavramı Üzerine Yapılan Çalışmaların VOSviewer ile Bibliyometrik Analizi. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review, 4(2), 164-188. http://dx.doi.org/10.54733/smar.1271369.
  • Frankl, V. E. (1985). Man's Search for Meaning. Simon and Schuster.
  • Keleş, H. N. (2017). Anlamlı İş ile Psikolojik İyi Oluş İlişkisi. The Journal of Happiness And Well-Being. 5(1), 154 167.
  • Hackman, J. R. and Oldham, G. R. (1975). Development of The Job Diagnostic Survey. Journal of Applied Psychology, 60(2), 159-170.
  • Hackman, J. R., & Oldham, G. R. (1976). Motivation Through The Design of Work: Test of A Theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 16(2), 250–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(76)90016-7.
  • Jalil, M. F., & Ali, A. The Influence of Meaningful Work on The Mental Health of SME Employees in The COVID-19 Era: Can Coping Strategies Mediate The Relationship?. (2023). BMC Public Health,23(1), 2435 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17347-3.
  • Laaser, K., & Karlsson, J. Ch. (2023). Meaningful Work. In The Politics of Working Life and Meaningful Waged Work (pp. 1–16). chapter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Lease, S., Ingram, C., & Brown, E. (2019). Stress and Health Outcomes: Do Meaningful Work and Physical Activity Help?. Journal of Career Development, 46, 251- 264. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845317741370.
  • Magnano, P., Santisi, G., Zammitti, A., Zarbo, R., & Di Nuovo, S. (2019). Self-Perceived Employability and Meaningful Work: The Mediating Role of Courage on Quality of Life. Sustainability, 11(3), 764. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030764.
  • Michaelson, C., Pratt, M. G., Grant, A. M., & Dunn, C. P. (2014). Meaningful Work: Connecting Business Ethics and Organization Studies. Journal of Business Ethics, 121(1), 77-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1675-5.
  • Neves, D.R., Nascimento, R.P., Felix, Jr, M.S., Silva, F.A.D., & Andrade, R.O.B.D. (2018). Meaning and Significance of Work: A Review of Articles Published in Journals Associated with The Scientific Periodicals Electronic Library. Cadernos EBAPE. BR, 16(2), 318–330. https://doi.org/10.1590/1679-395159388.
  • Pratt, M. G., & Ashforth, B. E. (2003). Fostering Meaningfulness in Working and At Work. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton, & R. E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive Organizational Scholarship (pp. 309–327). Berrett-Koehler.
  • Rothausen, T., & Henderson, K. (2019). Meaning-Based Job-Related Well-being: Exploring a Meaningful Work Conceptualization of Job Satisfaction. Journal of Business and Psychology, 34, 357-376. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10869-018-9545-X.
  • Rosso, B. D., Dekas, K. H., & Wrzesniewski, A. (2010). On The Meaning of Work: A Theoretical Integration and Review. Research in Organizational Behavior, 30, 91–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2010.09.001.
  • Saari, T., Leinonen, M., & Tapanila, K. (2022). Sources of Meaningful Work for Blue-Collar Workers. Social Sciences, 11(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11010002.
  • Schwartz, A. (1982). Meaningful Work. Ethics. 92 (4), 634-646. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/292380
  • Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive Psychology: An Introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5.
  • Spencer, D. A. (2024). Efficiency vs. Meaningful Work: A Critical Survey of Historical and Contemporary Debates. Contributions to Political Economy, 43(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1093/cpe/bzae009.
  • Steger, M. F., Dik, B. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2012). Measuring Meaningful Work: The Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI). Journal of Career Assessment, 20(3), 322-337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072711436160.
  • Suyatno, S., Pambudi, D. I., Wantini, W., Abdurrohim, A., & Mardati, A. (2022). The Mediating Role of Meaning at Work in Promoting Teacher Commitment and Reducing Burnout. Frontiers in Education, 7, 962163. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.962163.
  • Tan, K. L., Sim, A. K., Yap, S. S. N., Vithayaporn, S., & Rachmawati, A. W. (2023). A Systematic Review of Meaningful Work Unifying 20 Years of Theoretical and Substantive Contributions (2000–2020). Journal of Advances in Management Research, 20(3), 462-512. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-11-2022-0225.
  • Uzunbacak, H. H., & Akçakanat, T. (2018). İşin Anlamı, Zindelik, Mutluluk ve İş Tatmini İlişkileri Üzerine Görgül Bir Araştırma. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 17(68), 1691-1702. http://dx.doi.org/10.17755/esosder.432208.
  • Yeoman, R. (2014). Conceptualising Meaningful Work as A Fundamental Human Need. Journal of Business Ethics, 125(2), 235–251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1894-9.
  • Van Wingerden J. & Van der Stoep J. (2018).The Motivational Potential of Meaningful Work: Relationships with Strengths Use, Work Engagement, and Performance. PLoS ONE, 13(6), e0197599. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197599.
  • Wandycz-Mejias, J., Roldán, J. L., & López Cabrales, Á. (2024). Analyzing The Impact of Work Meaningfulness on Turnover Intentions and Job Satisfaction: A Self-determination Theory Perspective. Journal of Management & Organization, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2024.42.
There are 31 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Urban Sociology and Community Studies
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Mecbure Aslan Teke 0000-0002-4213-5857

Early Pub Date October 30, 2025
Publication Date October 30, 2025
Submission Date August 11, 2025
Acceptance Date September 25, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 18 Issue: Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı

Cite

APA Aslan Teke, M. (2025). İşin Anlamı (Meaningful Work) Başlıklı Yapılan Çalışmaların Web of Science Veri Tabanına Dayalı Bibliyometrik Analizi. Kent Akademisi, 18(Uluslararası Girişimcilik Sosyal Bilimler Kongresi Özel Sayısı), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1762763

International Refereed and Indexed Journal of Urban Culture and Management | Kent Kültürü ve Yönetimi Uluslararası Hakemli İndeksli Dergi
Information, Communication, Culture, Art and Media Services (ICAM Network) | www.icamnetwork.net
Address: Ahmet Emin Fidan Culture and Research Center, Evkaf Neigh. No: 34 Fatsa Ordu
Tel: +90452 310 20 30 Faks: +90452 310 20 30 | E-Mail: (int): info@icamnetwork.net | (TR) bilgi@icamnetwork.net