Why does one person see work primarily as a means to a paycheck, while another sitting in the next cubicle expects work to provide genuine fulfillment?

In exploring the origins of adults’ work orientations, University of Michigan researchers found that the orientations of their parents play a stronger role than other forces such as religion, personality, or profession.

“Work orientations are a modern link between the meaning of work for parents and children,” says Wayne Baker, professor and chair of management and organizations at U-M's Ross School of Business. “Socialization during adolescence is the mechanism through which this persistent link is established.”

A work orientation represents a person’s beliefs about the meaning of work. Research has suggested that adults tend to favor one of three primary work orientations: job, career, or calling.

 …