Orientations to Work

Orientations to Work Definition

Orientations to work encompass the attitudes and motives that groups of workers bring to their work experience, reflecting the overall subjective perception of the work environment. This concept emerged as a refinement of earlier assumptions, suggesting that workers do not share a monolithic desire for community or intrinsic job satisfaction. The idea gained traction in the late 1960s, serving as a qualification to previous theories by acknowledging the diverse ways individuals approach their employment.

Origins and Context

The focus on orientations arose from studies, such as those conducted within the Affluent Worker research, which demonstrated that workers possess a variety of distinct orientations towards the work setting rather than adhering to a single shared motivation.

Instrumental Orientation

A key illustration of these varied orientations is the concept of instrumental orientation. For instance, some car assembly workers actively sought out and were content with dull, repetitive tasks because this work provided high remuneration, thereby enabling them to satisfy domestic and private desires. This demonstrates that for certain groups, the orientation towards work was primarily instrumental rather than intrinsically motivated by the job itself.