At GAIS, we are now introducing a new type of survey, the factor survey, which allows both organizations and individuals to explore a specific factor in depth. Our overall motivation at work is influenced by a wide range of different factors. With a classic GAIS survey, you can measure and gain insights into the seven most important factors for motivation at work, offering a broad overview of well-being in relation to these factors.
Just as a GAIS survey maps out the key drivers of motivation, a factor survey enables you to dive deep into a single factor and understand which dimensions it consists of. This provides a more detailed picture of exactly where within the factor to focus your efforts.
The first factor survey: Purpose
The first factor survey we are launching focuses on meaning and contains 15 questions. The Meaning factor is examined through four dimensions, each covered by specific questions. These four dimensions unfold different perspectives of the concept of meaning:
- Inner Purpose: This dimension relates to the personal significance of your work. It’s about whether your job aligns with who you are, what you’re capable of, and what you want from your working life.
- Greater Purpose: This focuses on the sense that your work contributes to something bigger that your efforts serve a higher purpose, whether for people or for society as a whole.
- Collegial Purpose: This is about the feeling that, through collaboration, colleagues enhance each other socially and professionally, achieving more together than individually.
- Organizational Purpose: This dimension concerns whether decisions and changes at your workplace make sense to you and resonate with your understanding of meaningful work.
Tools to develop purpose
The Meaning factor survey works in the same way as a standard GAIS survey. It can be carried out both individually and across an organization, with each employee receiving their own personalized purpose report. Just like with the full GAIS survey, all results are accompanied by selected tools, articles, and guides — curated based on your specific results.
Built on research
The new factor survey is built on research, practical experience, and the work of Job Satisfaction Knowledge Centre , which has repeatedly studied the concept of meaning in the workforce.
In collaboration with the Knowledge Centre, we plan to launch more factor surveys in the future. Later this year, we will release a survey focused on the Leadership factor, exploring its four key dimensions.
