An Interconnected Temporal Approach to Meaningful work: A Longitudinal Study of CSR Practitioners

This study examines the evolution of meaningful work through a longitudinal lens, addressing gaps in the literature regarding the interconnected temporal dynamics of past, present, and future in meaningful work. While meaningful work has been explored through various approaches, including temporal and tensional perspectives, prior research often remains episodic, overlooking how meaning is constructed, lost, or negotiated over time. By adopting a longitudinal qualitative approach, this study investigates how CSR practitioners in South Korea experienced shifts in their sense of meaningful work over a decade (2012–2013 and 2022–2023). The findings reveal three pathways: meaning-sustaining, meaning-losing, and meaning-recovering. These processes highlight the interplay of past experiences, present realities, and anticipated futures, showcasing how practitioners navigate tensions between meaningfulness and meaninglessness. This study advances theoretical understanding by conceptualizing meaningful work as a dynamic and temporal phenomenon, emphasizing its evolution amidst shifting social and organizational contexts. It also contributes to sustainability management by providing micro-level insights into practitioners’ efforts to sustain career commitment during field-level disruptions, and connects to the micro-CSR literature, offering nuanced perspectives on sustaining meaningful work over time.