THE DECISIVE ROLE OF MEANINGFUL WORK AND FAIR WORKPLACE IN LIFE SATISFACTION
Authors: GÜLEN ERTOSUN Öznur 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the link between meaningful work perception and life satisfaction through the justice climate in the organization. Within this scope, the study also aims to find out the connection among meaningful work perception and organizational variables, which are highly emphasized in the literature, and thus to reveal the importance of meaningful work perception for both the literature and practitioners.

Methods: This study is designed as quantitative research and the quota sampling method (limits are: work experience- sector- employee number of organization) is preferred to obtain the data. Sİnce the meaningfulness of the work is not related to a specific occupational group according to previous researches, the sample of the study includes white-collar employees from various departments such as marketing, finance, HR, and R&D. Within the survey method conducted data gathered different work areas from large companies in Istanbul, 193 valid questionnaires are obtained for analysis. A socio-demographic form and three well-known scales are used to evaluate the participants' perceptions.

Results: Analyses of the study are conducted through SPSS and Smart-PLS programs. First of all construct validity is measured with both Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Then Cronbach alpha, rho_A, CR, and AVE values are computed and variables are found to be valid and reliable. Hypotheses are tested with Structural Equation Modeling and Bootstrapping analysis is performed. Significant connections among the variables are found. According to findings, meaningful work is not directly effective on life satisfaction. And interactional justice is a full mediator in the positive meaning and life satisfaction relationship. Secondly, life satisfaction is directly affected by distributive justice and interactional justice dimensions of organizational justice climate. And also the other dimensions of meaningful work have no significant effect on justice climate perception.

Originality: As stated in previous studies, the climate of justice in an organization is an important indicator of both the workplace experience of the employees and their life satisfaction. Although the concept of meaningful work is relatively new and few studied in organizational behavior literature, it had been stated by leading motivation theories attributing meaning to work is an important instrument for meaningful and satisfying life perception. Meaningful work is mostly thought to have contributions to oneself and the community, however, studies show that this is due to the employee's perception of his work. This theoretical background indicates that meaningful work perception could be related to organizations’ justice perception and also can be beneficial to both individual and organizational desired outcomes. So emphasizing the importance of the phenomenon is the main motivation of the study, so that this study's findings can be an important contribution to both organizational behavior literature and practitioners especially in human resources activities in companies.