The mindful route to ownership: sequential mediating effect of meaningful work

Purpose The study aims to investigate the trait-based roots of psychological ownership (PO) and explores the work-related mechanisms through which individual traits manifest in organizationally relevant forms of PO. It identifies trait mindfulness as a distal antecedent of organization-based and job-based PO with meaningful work mediating the relationship. Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses were developed using the mindfulness-to-meaning theory and tested using a three-wave design on 220 full-time employed professionals. Findings The data was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling 4.0 predicting trait mindfulness is positively associated with organization-based PO and job-based PO. All the hypotheses were supported except relational transparency acting as a moderator. Originality/value The results are discussed in light of the genesis of PO in the philosophy of existentialism. The source of meaning is identified as a possible new antecedent category for all forms of PO.