Explicating Creativity and Design: The Nature and Meaningfulness of Work inMad Men

Communicative tensions of meaningful work: The case of sustainability practitioners

“…Missing from this operationally ‘neat’ lens is the ‘messiness’ of meaningful work, as described through countless anecdotes and situational case studies (e.g. Buzzanell and D’Enbeau, 2013). These studies indicate that, while the role of worker agency to name particular work as meaningful (or not) is crucial, also key are the organizational, professional, political and economic constraints that both enable and restrain worker agency in different contexts (Buzzanell and Lucas, 2013).…”

“…Nevertheless, the concept of meaningful work may be critiqued for viewing it as primarily positive, with less attention paid to temporal shifts in meaning-making and to the political implications at stake. While recent scholarship has argued for a more situated and nuanced understanding of why and how work becomes meaningful (Berkelaar and Buzzanell, 2015; Buzzanell and D’Enbeau, 2013), most studies assume static interpretations of meaningfulness, which fulfils some ‘good’ parameters along the way, such as passion for social issues, greater work–life balance or creativity.…”

Vocational Anticipatory Socialization, Self-Determination Theory, and Meaningful Work: Parents’ and Children’s Recollection of Memorable Messages About Work

“…Work may also be considered meaningful if it is described as valuable (Kuhn et al, 2008) or morally important (Lips-Wiersma & Morris, 2009). Although some employees may work strictly for instrumental reasons, such as money (Buzzanell & D'Enbeau, 2013), others may view meaningful work as providing opportunities for "serving others, sharing value with others, and the ability to express one's full potential" (p. 57).…”

Intimate, ambivalent and erotic mentoring: Popular culture and mentor–mentee relational processes in Mad Men

“…Mad Men features neurotic, familial, erotic and other dynamics playing out in the workplace in a way that resembles organizational behavior relegated to the past and behaviors that are similar to, but not identical to, the contemporary workplace. Although these presentations are presumably for entertainment, they also offer a way to learn about organizational norms (Buzzanell and D’Enbeau, 2013). Research indicates that the willingness, ability and kinds of mentoring in which people are engaged are based on their own experiences.…”

“…Current advertisements about Vaseline® that air during Season 4 Mad Men episodes parody Don Draper and his signature style of creative idea development (for creative professionals’ signature styles, see Elsbach, 2009). It is Don’s storytelling magic and ability to weave a compelling campaign on short notice that provides the grist for parodies of creative professionals and their advertising teams (Buzzanell and D’Enbeau, 2013). Finally, Mad Men made the August 2010 cover of the Rolling Stone , the ultimate popular cultural symbol of success in the United States (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/17386/196882).…”