Empirical evidence on the positive relation between work as a calling and well-being is well-established. However, this predominantly positive view may be incomplete, as findings on the so-called "dark side" of calling—the prediction that calling leads to negative work outcomes under specific conditions—remains inconclusive. Existing research has primarily relied on nomothetic approaches, which may overlook the adverse effects that manifest only in a subset of individuals. This limitation is further compounded by the dominance of WEIRD samples, which restricts cross-cultural generalisability.
This study aims to identify how distinct profiles of workers with a sense of calling, characterised by high moral duty and/or destiny beliefs, are associated with detrimental outcomes such as workaholism and organisational exploitation across diverse cultural contexts. Using latent profile analysis, we will apply a person-centred approach to a sample of workers from 13 countries. The study will examine how cultural dimensions, specifically cultural tightness (the degree of social norms and intolerance for deviant behaviour) and relational mobility (the freedom to form and dissolve social ties), interact with calling and its potential dark side. We hypothesise that individuals in profiles characterised by high calling combined with high duty and/or destiny beliefs will experience higher levels of workaholism and organisational exploitation. Additionally, we expect that higher cultural tightness and lower relational mobility will predict membership in these profiles.
At the time of the conference, data collection will have been completed, and we will present the results of our analysis. This research advances the understanding of the boundary conditions under which calling's dark side may emerge and underscores its relevance to cultural context. Findings will offer practical implications for organisations and evidence-based HR practices, providing insights into how cultural norms may shape the negative consequences of work as a calling.