Abstract
M.Com. (Industrial Psychology)
Research has linked the construct of meaningful work to a variety of positive individual and
organisational outcomes (cf. Rosso, Dekas, & Wrzesniewski, 2010). As such, the measurement
and cultivation of meaningful work within the workplace can aid organisations in the promotion
of a purposeful and energetic workforce. To date, South Africa has not developed or validated a
meaningful work measure, which is problematic when it is considered that differences in culture
have been shown to affect responses to items on specific psychometric measures (Meiring, van
de Vijver, & Rothmann, 2006). It is therefore essential that the psychometric suitability of an
instrument be established prior to it being applied within the country’s diverse population. This
study examines the reliability and validity of a meaningful work measure in the South African
context. Specifically, the dimensionality of the Western-developed Work and Meaning
Inventory (WAMI) is investigated using a South African sample. A quantitative, cross-sectional
design was adopted using a sample of South African working adults (N=300) within the Gauteng
province. The results of CFA and EFA did not provide support for the original three-factor
WAMI structure. However, theoretical and statistical support was found for an adapted twofactor
version of the scale. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.