Meaningful Work Scale in creative industries: a confirmatory factor analysis

Abstract

This study conducts a confirmatory factor analysis of a meaningful Canadian work model. The sample comprised 446 professionals working in creative industries based in Midwestern and Northeastern Brazil who completed the 25-item Meaningful Work Scale (MWS). This study tested both the original Canadian five-factor model and a six-factor model previously adapted into Portuguese, based on professionals from São Paulo's creative industries. The results indicate that globally, both models, when re-specified, seem to fit the data. However, an inspection of the local fit indices suggests problems with both models, specifically in two factors: development and learning, and expressiveness and identification with work. We discuss the extent to which these findings may relate to cultural and occupational influences. The paper concludes that the meaningful work model, although it can vary in content, is vulnerable to possible subculture differences in the Brazilian context.