Mirit K. Grabarski, Lakehead University

Galina Boiarintseva, Niagara University

Maria Hameed Khan, Queensland University of Technology

This special issue addresses the conceptual distinctions and interconnections among meaning, meaningfulness, and purpose in work contexts. While these three concepts are central to major career theories and essential for worker wellbeing and career sustainability, they often remain poorly differentiated in research literature. The issue seeks to clarify how meaning relates to personal value interpretations, meaningfulness to emotional fulfillment and engagement, and purpose to long-term direction and self-transcendent goals.

The special issue invites empirical and theoretical contributions exploring how individuals find fulfillment, alignment, and direction through their work across different occupations and life contexts. Research should examine the interplay between these constructs and their implications for sustainable careers, decent work, and human flourishing in an evolving work landscape.

Appel publié par Career Development International. Voir l'appel sur le site de l'éditeur. Fiche de l'appel sur kerostig.

Potential topics

• Authenticity and alignment of work with personal values
• Decent work and meaningfulness across occupations
• Human and technological interactions and the future of work
• The place of work in a whole-life framework
• Calling and serving higher purpose through work
• Sustaining purpose and meaning over time
• Meaning of work
• Meaningful work
• Purpose of work
• Decent work
• Sustainable Careers

Timeline

• September 1, 2026: Opening date for manuscripts submissions
• March 1, 2027: Submission window
• March 1, 2027: Closing date for manuscripts submission