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The End of Meaningful Work in the Not-for-Profit Sector? A Case Study of Ethics in Employee Relations Under the New Business-Like Operation Regime

Author

Listed:
  • Wen Wang

    (University of Wolverhampton Business School)

  • Roger Seifert

    (Keele University)

Abstract

Developed from meaningful work and business ethics, we investigate the motivational effect of meaningful work on paid staff (not volunteers) with a “shortage” of ethical employment practices situated in the Not-for-Profit sector. We tested the traditional notion of meaningful work by nature and by line manager support (under its business-like practices) to compensate for the “sacrifice” (low pay and job stress caused by poor employment terms) of front line staff working alongside professional managers paid the market rate. Using a mixed-method case study, we employed SEM modelling to analyse a staff survey of 125 valid responses and administrative records of staff resignation, alongside interviews. The results show that meaningful work by nature and by line manager support are positively and significantly associated with job satisfaction but neither has a significant effect on staff resignation action. There is no empirical evidence to support the compensating effect of meaningful work by nature; meaningful work by line manager support has a stronger effect only through reduced job stress, rather than compensating for the low pay, in preventing resignation. The qualitative analysis reveals that continued low pay and using precarious employment contracts have evoked the questioning of ethics of employment practices in this sector. We discuss the implications and suggest further areas of research.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen Wang & Roger Seifert, 2022. "The End of Meaningful Work in the Not-for-Profit Sector? A Case Study of Ethics in Employee Relations Under the New Business-Like Operation Regime," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(1), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:181:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-021-04891-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04891-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ruth Yeoman, 2014. "Conceptualising Meaningful Work as a Fundamental Human Need," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Meaningful Work and Workplace Democracy, chapter 1, pages 8-38, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Franz Hackl & Martin Halla & Gerald J. Pruckner, 2007. "Volunteering and Income – The Fallacy of the Good Samaritan?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(1), pages 77-104, February.
    3. Wen Wang & Roger Seifert, 2020. "BAME Staff and Public Service Motivation: The Mediating Role of Perceived Fairness in English Local Government," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(3), pages 653-664, January.
    4. Ruth Yeoman, 2014. "Conceptualising Meaningful Work as a Fundamental Human Need," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 235-251, December.
    5. Christopher Michaelson & Michael Pratt & Adam Grant & Craig Dunn, 2014. "Meaningful Work: Connecting Business Ethics and Organization Studies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 121(1), pages 77-90, April.
    6. Harry Buren & Michelle Greenwood, 2013. "The Genesis of Employment Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(4), pages 707-719, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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