Applying Merton's Theory Of Anomia To Career Disruptions

摘要

Purpose - Taking an innovative theoretical approach, the purpose of this paper is to apply Merton's theory of anomia as personal reactions to social disruptions to white-collar worker reactions to being unemployed or under-employed. Design/methodology/approach - Exploratory, quantitative, secondary data analysis using data collected from convenience samples of career-disrupted, white-collar workers in four community and church based outplacement support groups. Recognizing career-disruption as a potentially anomic state, factor analysis was used to develop scales suggestive of Merton's categories of reactions to anomia, and cluster analysis was used to classify respondents into Merton's categories. Findings - Exploratory scales developed and resulting cluster analyses suggest Merton's theory may be helpful in recognizing different white-collar work reactions to career displacement. Research limitations/implications - Secondary analysis and convenience sample data are major limitations, but results justify a call for further research into the application of Merton's categories of reactions to anomia to displaced white-collar workers. Practical implications - Given the frequent shifts in the business environment, white-collar career disruptions will remain a frequent concern for senior management officers charged with administering layoffs and outplacement programs. Insights suggested by these analyses may aid anticipation of reactions of displaced white-collar workers in ways that may influence placement and counseling activities related to worker adjustments. Originality/value - This study is unique in applying Merton's theory of anomia to career disruptions, although Merton himself illustrated the theory with reference to workplace situations.