Research on the meaning of work

January 2, 1998

FROM: Tom Terez (email: YourLegacy@aol.com --- work 614-644-5320 --- fax 614-644-6763 --- home 614-891-6930)

Even though concepts like quality, teamwork, and empowerment have prompted major change in the workplace, studies show that work still leaves many people unfulfilled. What seems to be missing is a sense of meaning -- the feeling that what we do during the workday, and how we do it, has purpose and significance.

I am conducting research on this topic and need help in any of three areas:

1. If you would be willing to participate in a 30-minute one-on-one interview, I would be grateful. Interviews are one of my three key research methods. Simply contact me by phone (614-644-5320) or email (YourLegacy@aol.com). We can then set up a date and time for a phone interview. (If you have an AOL account, we can do the interview online.)

2. If you know of others (public or private sector) who might make themselves available for an interview, feel free to give them my name, number, and email address -- or pass their number on to me and I will make the contact. (Incidentally, I am interviewing people from a wide variety of professions, both in the public and private sector. Included are people who love their jobs...hate their jobs...and fall somewhere in-between.)

3. If you have any studies, articles, data, or leads of any sort related to the search for meaning in work, I would be tremendously grateful if you would pass them on to me or at least point me in the right direction.

My research process includes a combination of focus groups, interviews, and journals. Beginning in Spring 1998, I will be pulling together all the information, analyzing it, then generating a series of articles and presentations. Of course, in exchange for any help I get from folks (including people who are interviewed), I will be sending them copies of all outputs.

You may be curious about the background I bring to this project. I work as assistant director of the Ohio Office of Quality Services, and before then, worked as a consultant specializing in total quality and change management. Clients included a mix of public- and private-sector organizations. I have written two books (The Manager's Guide to Total Quality and Managing Change in the 1990s) and a dozen business-related magazine articles -- all of which required plenty of research similar to the information-gathering I am conducting on workplace meaning. In the community, I have organized the Citizens' Summit on Early Childhood (Columbus) and the Community Service Pledge (Cincinnati).

The focus groups and interviews I have already conducted proved to be incredibly interesting. It's clear that this topic of "meaning in work" applies to all of us and stirs strong feelings. My goal is for this research -- and the writings and presentations that result -- to generate much more discussion and action aimed at making work and workplaces more meaningful.

Many thanks for any help you can provide during this research phase. I hope to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Tom Terez (YourLegacy@aol.com --- work 614-644-5320 --- home 614-891-6930)

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