Mental Patterns of Iranian Knowledge Based Enterprises Manager's about Meaningful Work: Application of Q Methodology

Meaningful work and work meaningfulness concepts have recently received considerable attention in the management and organizational behavior research literature because they are strongly related to organizational outputs. So there has been a growing concern among researchers and practitioners about the need to better understanding of the work meaningfulness. Increased emphasis on the meaningful work is due largely to research linking employees who are engaged and intrinsically motivated in work they find meaningful with higher levels of job satisfaction, commitment, retention, performance, and productivity. Knowledge based enterprises as important organizations for developing knowledge based economy can use this concept in their job design, reengineering and organizing activities. The aim of this study was to understand the mental patterns of managers of Iranian knowledge based enterprises with Q-methodology. For this purpose, by using Q-methodology, forum phrases analyzed and four mental pattern of participants about meaningful work revealed which are: expectations about work, attitude towards work, the nature of work and individual features. Knowing these mental patterns can be used in explanation and choosing suitable strategies in job design, development plans and supporting programs of enterprises and their management.