工匠精神的概念、边界及研究展望

The Concept,Boundary and Research Prospect of Craftsmanship

工匠精神在近年来受到社会各界的广泛关注,但现有研究对工匠精神的界定相对模糊,囊括了诸多工作场所的优秀品质与行为表现,其独有的概念边界并不清晰。基于价值观理论体系,本研究将工匠精神定义为一种个体在当前工作中所持有的特定工作价值观,与一般工作价值观相比,其聚焦于认知和威望两方面,具有典型的成长导向,作用集中在工作/组织层面。概念辨析结果表明,工匠精神具有独特的概念内涵,能够与工作投入、任务精通、主动担责、利用式学习、渐进式创新、工作场所精神性这些相似概念进行有效区分。最后,本研究从工匠精神的内涵与测量、前因、结果三方面提出了工匠精神的未来研究框架。本研究有利于全面深入地理解工匠精神,并为今后系统研究工匠精神的培育途径和作用成效创造条件。

Craftsmanship has drawn a wide range of attention in China in recent years.Yet there is still some ambiguity in the definition of craftsmanship which encompasses many good qualities and behaviors in the workplace.Thus,craftsmanship lacks a unique and clear conceptual boundary.In reviewing the existing literature on the definition of craftsmanship,we propose that the craftsman is a kind of individual work values that people hold in the current job and reflects their a variety of work goals that are worth fighting in their opinions.These work goals cannot only decide their preference for particular behaviors in the work place,but also provide them with internal standards for people to make choice and take action.First,we propose that the craftsmanship essentially belongs to work values.The reason why we believe the craftsmanship is a kind of values is that it is in line with the characteristics of human basic values that Schwartz suggested several decades ago.To be specific,as a kind of work values,the craftsmanship is the concrete embodiment of basic values in the workplace.However,the craftsmanship is different from general work values.The major difference is that the latter can reflect people's basic beliefs in every aspect of the work,whereas the former focuses on the cognition and prestige,two high-order work values.The craftsmanship is a component of Lyons,Higgins,and Duxbury's(2010)three-level cylindrex model of the structure of work values and can play a critical role at both work and organizational level since its typical characteristic is growth orientation.Thus,the operational definition of craftsmanship is an expression of specific work values.Second,we have discussed the conceptual uniqueness of craftsmanship by differentiating it from other theoretically relevant constructs,such as work engagement and its three dimensions(vigor,dedication and absorption),task proficiency,taking charge,exploitation behavior,incremental innovation,workplace spirituality and so on.We have found that none of these constructs can cover the whole connotation of craftsmanship although there are a few theoretical overlaps between craftsmanship and some of these constructs.Nevertheless,we believe that the craftsmanship has unique conceptual connotation and can be differentiated from other similar constructs since their essential meanings are not included in the definition of craftsmanship.Finally,we propose a theoretical framework for future research.We believe that future research should pay attention to the connotation,measurement,antecedents and consequences of craftsmanship.The connotation of craftsmanship may contain many aspects,such as continuous improvements,patience and persistence,responsibility and accountability,personal growth,and reputation cherishment.Future studies should differentiate the craftsmanship itself and the motivational,attitudinal and behavioral outcomes that may be affected by the craftsmanship.Moreover,scholars should contiguously clarify the unique conceptual boundary of the craftsmanship to avoid the enlargement of its concept connotation.Additionally,the antecedents of the craftsmanship should be revealed from three aspects,including individual,work and organizational factors.Meanwhile,future research can explore the effects of the craftsmanship on the motivational and attitudinal proximal outcomes,such as employees'intrinsic motivation,goal orientation,work engagement,and turnover intentions.Future research can further reveal how craftsmanship exerts influence on employees'proactive behaviors,learning and job performance.In all,this study cannot only help to broaden people's understanding of the craftsmanship,but also make preparations for revealing the mechanisms that links the craftsmanship to outcomes and developing cultivation methods of the craftsmanship.