Passion for Work

Abstract Passion is a pervasive concept in the field of work. Workers aspire to be passionate in the hope of finding meaning and satisfaction from their professional lives, whereas employers dream of passionate employees to ensure organizational performance. Are these hopes and aspirations supported by scientific knowledge? Is there a darker side to passion for work that workers and organizations should be aware of? By reviewing the major theories of passion while focusing on the dominant theory, the dualistic model of passion, which distinguishes between two types of passion (harmonious and obsessive), this volume provides a comprehensive understanding of passion for work. In doing so, this book addresses the origin of the concept and its theoretical issues, how passion for work can be developed, what the consequences to be expected at the individual and organizational level are, and how passion for work can shed new light on contemporary issues in the workplace. Passion for Work: Theory, Research, and Applications synthesizes a vast body of existing research in the area, provides insights into new and exciting research avenues, and explores how current knowledge on passion for work can be applied in work settings to fulfill workers’ and employers’ hopes and aspirations about passion.