The meaning of work for South African women graduates: a phenomenological study

• Main Author: Person, Kerrin
• Other Authors: May, M.S. (Ms.)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Meaning; work; women; qualitative research; phenomenology; female-centred research; stereotypes; unstructured interviews; the self as instrument; autonomy; identity; self-worth; instrumental needs; intrinsic satisfaction; relationships at work; serving and caring for others; power and authority; 331.40968; Women employees > South Africa > Psychological aspects; Work > Psychological aspects; College graduates > South Africa
• Online Access: Person, Kerrin (2009) The meaning of work for South African women graduates: a phenomenological study, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1234>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1234

Despite the feminisation of the workplace as one of the key developments of this domain, the meaning of work for women is little understood. A phenomenological approach was adopted in this study to gain in-depth understanding of the meaning ascribed to work by a sample of ten South African, women graduates. Literature was used to generate three models - a male-centred, stereotyped and contemporary conceptualisation. Unstructured interviews were conducted and the protocols analysed using the modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method (Creswell, 1998; Stones, 1985; 1986). Themes illustrated that the meaning of work for women is multifaceted and comprises a number of components including sense of identity and self-worth, meeting instrumental needs, social relatedness, serving others, intrinsic satisfaction and the exercise of power and authority. Findings suggested that the meaning women ascribe to work changes when they experience autonomy. Recommendations were made for future research and organisational practices. === Indust and Org Psychology === MA(IND AND ORG PSYCHOLOGY)