When Calling Turns Dark: A Cross-Cultural Study of Career Calling and Workaholism in Germany and Italy

The thesis aims to investigate the relationship between Career Calling and Workaholism, particularly focusing on the role of cultural context. While the concept of calling is typically associated with positive outcomes, this research explores its less-examined, potentially problematic aspects—specifically, its link to workaholic tendencies. Using a quantitative approach, the study examines how a personal calling may contribute to excessive work behavior. To enable cross-cultural insights into this relationship, data were collected in Germany and Italy. This allows for a cross-cultural comparison and an analysis of whether, and how, Cultural Tightness moderates the relationship between Career Calling and Workaholism.