Abstract:
This paper explores how contemporary young Sri Lankan managers value work, in terms of centrality in their lives
and how this perception is shaped by their identities. Based on the social constructionist paradigm, we have used
qualitative methodology to explore the issue. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting the respondents and
multiple data collection methods, with in-depth interviews and group discussions were used. Respondents placed a
high value to their work roles, which is mainly due to the identity created through work. The concept of identity
fragmentation in postmodern social theory was used as the theoretical lens of the study to understand the
implications of late capitalism on work centrality. Even though some respondents’ views indicated a form of identity
fragmentation, they were not directly linked with the consequences of contemporary postmodern, late capital social
conditions. Having identified these perspectives, finally we analyzed the dominant role of identity formation in
creating work centrality and the lack of identity fragmentation among Sri Lankan young managers in the light of the
existing literature about national culture where it was revealed that national culture does plays a dominant role in
shaping the work centrality among young Sri Lankan managers even in the era of late capitalism.
