New HSG course to combat the crisis of meaning at work

The labour researcher Hans Rusinek teaches at the HSG on the topic of the meaning of work.

“According to studies, the first job shapes people more than their first child,” says HSG labour researcher Hans Rusinek. “That's why the transition from studying to full-time work is an important phase.” He launched a new course for HSG Master's students in the spring semester of 2025 entitled “What's the point of it all? – Meaningful work and corporate purpose”. “HSG graduates will face major challenges in the world of work and will hold complex jobs.” It is therefore important that they can deal with the question of the meaning of work – for themselves and, as potential managers, for others as well.

Rusinek, 35, completed his doctorate at HSG on how VW is dealing with the mobility transformation and the associated crisis of meaning. He also advises companies and helped to establish the European arm of the purpose consulting department for the Boston Consulting Group – one of the ‘big three’ in global consulting. In 2023, he also published a book entitled “Work-Survive-Balance: Why the future of work is the future of our planet”.

Financial crisis and pandemic have lasting impact on trust

In today's world of work, the question of meaning is more important than ever, according to Rusinek: the 2008 financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic have permanently shaken confidence in work and the economy. “The climate crisis and digitisation, which makes knowledge work on screen increasingly abstract and interchangeable, are both causing further uncertainty. Many people question whether their work serves a greater good.”

Added to this is the increasing rush and digital fragmentation in our daily work. “If you're rushed and constantly distracted, you can't make good decisions,” says the labour researcher. On top of that, there is a widespread social expectation that people should fulfil themselves through their work. ”This creates additional pressure.”

Rusinek starts the course by explaining this problem and discussing it with the students. The aim is to identify the elements of a meaningful working life and which tools are helpful in using meaning as a ‘compass’ for shaping one's own career. “For example, we will do an exercise in which students reflect on their values and use them to see if they are acting on them.”

They also discuss personal crises of meaning that have been overcome and look at what gave the students support during these times. The course also aims to outline the causes of crises of stress, expectation and legitimacy in the world of work.

The search for meaning outside the seminar room

The next step is to address how the question of meaning can be dealt with in organisations. “Meaning cannot be managed, meaning needs space and time to emerge in an organisation,” says Rusinek. The students will look at transformations in large and small companies in which a renewal of the question of meaning was a decisive motivator.
Rusinek will incorporate exercises that take students away from the usual course setting in the seminar room: “Knowledge work must become more physical and increasingly embedded in the environment,” he says. Because those who experience their surroundings sensually become more aware of their responsibility for them.

His course takes place at SQUARE. “We will take walks through SQUARE and the surrounding area, observing and analysing working practices.” 

SQUARE, as an open place of learning and academic exchange, is particularly good for this. “The search for meaning – whether in a company or for oneself – must take place interactively, that is, in exchange with others.”