22994: Organizational Identification: The Role of Meaningful Work, Career Orientation and Training

This study investigates the pathway from meaningful work to organizational identification, highlighting the mediating role of career orientation and the moderating influence of competence training programs (CTP). Drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), meaningful work is defined as significant, purposeful, and growth-oriented, satisfying employees' needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Career orientation is conceptualized as an individual’s pursuit of mastery and alignment with personal goals, while CTP serves as a mechanism for developing firm-specific skills and fostering employee engagement. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from a rigorously selected, representative sample of 1,016 employees in Montenegro, encompassing both public and private sectors. The sampling methodology employed a stratified multistage approach, ensuring demographic, regional, and organizational representativeness. This robust design enhances the validity and reliability of the findings. By focusing on Montenegro, a non-WEIRD society, this study expands the scope of behavioral research by exploring key constructs in a culturally distinct context. This approach not only enriches our understanding of these constructs but also enhances the generalizability and applicability of theoretical models across diverse socio-cultural settings, addressing the need for greater inclusivity in global research. Findings reveal that career orientation mediates the relationship between meaningful work and organizational identification, with CTP serving as a boundary condition that strengthens this indirect effect. The study highlights meaningful work’s role in aligning personal and organizational goals, offering practical insights for human resource development strategies.

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