Work Meaningfulness: the Influences of CEO Intellectual Stimulation and Environmental Uncertainty

This study examines the influence of CEOsi¦ intellectually stimulating behavior on employee perceptions of meaningfulness at work. We surveyed the CEOs and employees from 43 firms in innovation-driven industries. Drawing upon uncertainty management theory, environmental uncertainty, indexed by poor firm performance and rapid and unpredictable changes in the industry respectively moderated the positive relationship between CEO intellectual stimulation and work meaningfulness. We discuss the implications of our findings for organizational leadership and employee well-being.