sajm





SAJM VOL 31.3-5

Construction of Work Centrality: A Study of Public Sector Bank Employees in India

M V Anuradha*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62206/sajm.31.3.2024.111-131

PUBLISHED :27 NOV 2024

Abstract

The perception about public sector employment in India has undergone a change over the years. What was once a valued occupation is now not such an attractive job-prospect for the younger generation. This has necessitated greater efforts for talent acquisition and retention in these enterprises. The present research attempted to explore the process through which work comes to be a central life-domain for individuals. Work centrality is defined as ‘an individual’s belief regarding the relative importance of work in one’s life vis-a-vis other aspects like leisure, spending time with friends or family etc.’ Semi structured interviews were carried out with 44 employees of public sector banks across various Indian cities. Using a combination of narrative analysis and grounded theory methods, a process model of construction of work centrality has been developed. The model suggests that events at work trigger a meaning making process in the minds of individuals. Using dominant social metaphors and peer comparisons, individuals make evaluations about their self-worth and meaning of work. When work provides many opportunities for positive self-affirmation, a central role is ascribed to work. The opposite happens when work does not provide these opportunities. Managerial implications of these findings, especially for public sector banks are discussed.

Key Words

Experiences at work, Grounded theory, Narrative analysis, Public sector banks, Work centrality

Author Biography

*M V Anuradha
Associate Professor, Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management, Indian Institute of Management-Visakhapatnam, Gambheeram Village, Anandapuram Mandal, Visakhapatnam 531163, India. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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