Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/328186 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 18056
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
A growing body of research in economics shows that workers care about more than just pay, often seeking social status, career mobility, or meaningful work. This chapter introduces the work orientations framework–a concept from psychology–as a unifying lens for understanding these motivations. Work orientations capture individuals' core beliefs about the role of work: earning a living ("paycheck"), achieving recognition and advancement ("career"), or finding fulfillment ("calling"). These orientations are not mutually exclusive, and many people hold a mix that shapes their workplace behavior. Economists have long examined financial incentives, alignment with an organization's mission, and career ambitions, but these strands remain fragmented. Integrating them within the work orientations framework broadens standard economic models, offers a richer view of labor supply and effort, and suggests new priorities for data collection, measurement, and theory development. The chapter reviews current evidence and outlines avenues for future empirical and conceptual research.
Subjects: 
calling orientation
career orientation
job orientation
work orientations
labor economics
JEL: 
J22
J24
J28
I31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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