The consumption of work: Representations and interpretations of the meaning of work at a UK university

Abstract

<jats:p> This article focuses on representations of the nexus of work, meaning and consumption as experienced by university students. We develop an empirically based argument that the meaning of work is being constructed as an object of consumption on a British university campus. We suggest that this indicates two key changes in representations of the meaning of work. First, there is a significant shift in the social construction of orientations to work towards what we term ‘consumption of work’. Second, we argue that this new social construction is made up of three dimensions: (1) consumption of an idealised image of work, (2) consumption through specific work processes and (3) consumption of self-development opportunities at work. We conclude by suggesting ways in which this argument could be researched further. </jats:p>

The Environment in Global Sustainability Governance

“…Finally, workinduced mobility, infrastructure and consumption are associated with different processes surrounding work and their reliance, for example, on driving and flying, energy-consuming office spaces and fast fashion (Hoffman and Paulsen, 2020). For example, employers actively engage in promoting their employer brands and consumption opportunities that come with work (Chertkovskaya et al, 2020), which encourages a consumerist lifestyle and, indeed, may make such a lifestyle a necessary part of one's job.…”

Countering corporate violence: Degrowth, ecosocialism and organising beyond the destructive forces of capitalism

“…However, corporate culture and corporate social responsibility rhetoric can obscure corporate violence and alienation associated with work. For example, workers can be seduced by consumption opportunities that come with work or the company brand they can identify with (Chertkovskaya et al, 2020).…”

Marketing et GRH : un avenir commun ?

“…La principale différence entre le marketing « classique » et le marketing RH est son objet particulier, le travail, qui, naturellement, peut être considéré comme hautement impliquant pour l'employé (Igalens, 2019). Le choix d'un travail se fait, pourtant, comme pour un autre produit/service et les candidats adoptent, de plus en plus, un comportement de consommateur face à la promesse employeur (Chertkovskaya, Korczynski et Taylor, 2017). Comme pour une marque, le travail au sein d'une organisation comporte des attributs instrumentaux et symboliques.…”