The article focuses on classic theories and new studies on why people need meaningful work and implications for organizations. Subsequent articles will discuss meaningful learning and humane workplaces. Most people have been led to believe that companies are in business expressly to make a profit. Profit is what they need to function in an economic system, but it's not usually described as a goal. If one asks people why they work, many will say it's for the money. But money is to individuals what profit is to businesses. They need it to function in the economic system, but it's not what motivates people to work. With the need for knowledge workers increasing in the continued volatility of the economy and projected labor pool shortage in the next 10 years, the demand for employee loyalty and commitment have come back into vogue.