Showing papers in "Career Development International in 2004"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a framework to initiate the scholarly study of employer branding, combining a resource-based view with brand equity theory, a framework is used to develop testable propositions.
Abstract: Employer branding represents a firm's efforts to promote, both within and outside the firm, a clear view of what makes it different and desirable as an employer. In recent years employer branding has gained popularity among practicing managers. Given this managerial interest, this article presents a framework to initiate the scholarly study of employer branding. Combining a resource‐based view with brand equity theory, a framework is used to develop testable propositions. The article discusses the relationship between employer branding and organizational career management. Finally, it outlines research issues that need to be addressed to develop employer branding as a useful organizing framework for strategic human resource management.
1,072 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present several career perspectives, to manifest a trend in career systems and their meaning and implications for individuals, organizations and society, and suggest the academic career model as a prospective role model for future career systems.
Abstract: Within the dynamic nature of labour markets, career systems have witnessed major changes in recent decades. This paper presents several career perspectives, to manifest a trend in career systems and their meaning and implications for individuals, organizations and society. This trend may be portrayed as a transition from what may be labelled “linear career system” into a “multidirectional career system”. Possible explanations to the phenomenon are presented, with suggested ideas for analysing and learning from the trend. The last section of the paper presents the academic career model as a prospective role model for future career systems, suggested as an intriguing idea and food for thought. Such a mental exercise of examining alternative career models, different from the traditional concept of careers, may be useful for both theory development and managerial practice.
711 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the career needs and propose the concept of the gap between career development programs and career needs, and its subsequent effect on job satisfaction, turnover intention, in an effort to contribute to the field of career management, through the effective integration of career needs.
Abstract: This study set to explore the career needs and proposes the concept of the gap between career development programs and career needs, and its subsequent effect on job satisfaction, turnover intention, in an effort to contribute to the field of career management, through the effective integration of career needs and career development programs. Questionnaires were completed by 367 R&D personnel from Hsinchu Science‐based Industrial Park (HSIP) in the north of Taiwan. The results reveal that R&D personnel have very diverse career needs at various stages of their career, and that depending on which stage of their career they have reached. The result show that the larger the gap, the higher the levels of both turnover intentions and job dissatisfaction. Managerial implications of these findings are also discussed.
194 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that it might well be time to abandon the concept of expatriate failure altogether and instead draw on the general human resource literature to analyse problems related to turnover and performance management in an expat context.
Abstract: This article reviews the established understanding of the concept of expatriate failure, discusses its associated problems and presents a more sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of the concept. The article argues that it might well be time to abandon the concept of expatriate failure altogether and instead draw on the general human resource literature to analyse problems related to turnover and performance management in an expatriate context..
178 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the moderating effect of emotion perception on the relationship between career commitment and career success and found that career commitment predicted objective career success only for employees with average to high emotion perception but not for those with low emotion perception.
Abstract: This study examined the moderating effect of emotion perception – a basic component of emotional intelligence – on the relationship between career commitment and career success. White‐collar employees from a diverse set of occupations and organizations in Malaysia were surveyed. Moderated multiple regression results showed that career commitment predicted objective career success (i.e. salary level) only for employees with average to high emotion perception but not for those with low emotion perception. Emotion perception, however, did not moderate the effects of career commitment on subjective career success (i.e. career satisfaction). Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
177 citations
174 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focused on the relationship between mentoring constellations and intrinsic career success and found that mentoring was positively associated with career satisfaction and intrinsic job satisfaction.
Abstract: This study focused on the relationship between mentoring constellations and intrinsic career success. Hierarchical regression analyses on the data of 416 female and 594 male university members showed that mentoring was positively associated with intrinsic career success (i.e., career satisfaction and intrinsic job satisfaction. Several characteristics of developmental networking appeared to be associated with intrinsic career success, e.g. size of the advice network, range, emotional intensity, frequency of the contacts, and years acquainted. Moreover, some moderating effects of gender on the relationship between mentoring constellations and intrinsic career success were found, e.g. for size of the advice network, emotional intensity, and stability of the relationship. Implications of results and directions for future research are discussed.
161 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the formation of work identity among nurses and other professionals in the field of health care has been investigated across four European countries, and a number of emerging common themes across the three dimensions and across the four national settings include structural conflicts between cost efficiency and quality of care, and individual conflicts between the core activity of caring for patients and the increasing demands of administration and other peripheral work.
Abstract: This paper reports on a comparative qualitative study across four European countries which explored the formation of work identity amongst nurses and other professionals in the field of health care. Within this sector, it identifies trends towards a more flexible, more highly skilled and more mobile workforce. Conversely, however, it is becoming difficult to recruit and retain staff due to increasing workload, decreasing job satisfaction and comparatively low pay. Occupational identity is theorised as a multi‐dimensional phenomenon, with structural, social and individual‐psychological components. A number of emerging common themes across the three dimensions and across the four national settings include structural conflicts between cost efficiency and quality of care, and individual conflicts between the core activity of caring for patients and the increasing demands of administration and other peripheral work. The study identifies a number of strategies used by nurses to balance these conflicting demands. Overall, the professional identity of nurses remains strong, but it is important for policy makers to be aware of the potential negative effects, in terms of staff turnover, mobility and job (dis)satisfaction, of the current state of the health care sector.
141 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present research findings that have been generated in the course of the research project, Vocational Identity, Flexibility and Mobility in the European Labour Market, funded under the 5th EU Framework Programme.
Abstract: The contributions in this CDI special issue present research findings that have been generated in the course of the research project, Vocational Identity, Flexibility and Mobility in the European Labour Market, funded under the 5th EU Framework Programme. Investigating identity formation processes at work, the guiding research question focused on what individuals identify with in their work context when they are challenged to respond to increasing demands for flexibility, mobility, changing work settings and shifting skill requirements. Project partners from seven European countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Spain and the UK) interviewed more than 500 employees at intermediate skills level and over 100 managers and representatives of human resources departments about how employees cope with changes at work and how this might affect their work identity, work attitude and career orientation. This paper gives an overview of the background, research questions, basic theoretical considerations, methodology and general findings of this project. It serves as a general introduction to the other five papers presented in this issue which are all based on a common approach and understanding of the research carried out.
112 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore worker choices to become self-employed contractors and reveal five sets of factors which appear to be central to worker decision-making, and suggest that a balanced examination of new careers should account for the complexity of a new world of work that advantages only some.
Abstract: Explores worker choices to become self‐employed contractors. Adopts a qualitative method and uses data from in‐depth interviews with workers from two contrasting occupational groups. Reveals five sets of factors which appear to be central to worker decision making. Contrasts the perspectives of the workers and draws conclusions relating to the impact of skill and labor market power on the choice of employed/self‐employed status, and subsequent career prospects. Suggests that recent views of “boundaryless careers” are more relevant to highly‐skilled groups of workers, and discusses the tensions between structural forces that constrain individuals’ career autonomy and the desire of many workers to be proactive agents in the construction of their own careers. The findings suggest that a balanced examination of “new careers” should account for the complexity of a new world of work that advantages only some. Argues for greater understanding of the choice between different modes of employment rather than just occupational choice. Finally, suggests that researchers and career practitioners need to be able to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of employment from a sound knowledge base.
91 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored how one's subjective sense of career orientation (the internal career) affects organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), defined as one's willingness to do more than required, to go the extra mile.
Abstract: When the labor market becomes tighter and the economy is uncertain, companies often respond by downsizing and by asking those employees who remain to be more productive and dependable. It is, therefore, of interest to both managers and researchers to better understand the dynamics of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). OCB is defined as one's willingness to do more than required, to go the extra mile. This study explores how one's subjective sense of career orientation (the internal career) affects OCB. The research was conducted in eight medium‐to‐large organizations in Thailand and it was discovered, as predicted, that internal career orientations impact the level of OCB. This finding is important because other research shows that the relationship between dispositional variables and OCB is inconclusive.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the impact that internal and external labor market opportunities have on the turnover decision-making process and found that negative perceptions of opportunities in the internal labor market matched by positive perceptions of external market opportunities do not necessarily affect turnover decision.
Abstract: The pursuit and attainment of alternative job opportunities within labor markets can have a significant impact on work relations in organizations. This search and turnover syndrome is explored here by reexamining the impact that internal and external labor market opportunities have on this process. The individual, organizational and market characteristics of a sample of over 700 employees from medical centers in Israel were used to show that job search modes have no direct effect on turnover behavior. The type and intensity of a job search did, however, depend on employees' perception of various labor market opportunities. Search modes themselves are affected by individual and organizational level characteristics and the employees' intention to leave. This suggests that while negative perceptions of opportunities in the internal labor market matched by positive perceptions of external market opportunities directly affect the turnover decision‐making process, job search behaviors do not necessarily affect the turnover decision.
TL;DR: This paper examined the buffering effects of mentoring on the relationship between adverse working conditions and positive (i.e. intrinsic job satisfaction and career satisfaction) and negative (e.g., emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment) employee outcomes.
Abstract: This study examined the direct and buffering effects of mentoring on the relationship between adverse working conditions and positive (i.e. intrinsic job satisfaction and career satisfaction) and negative (i.e. the burnout dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment) employee outcomes. Moderated regression analyses on the data of 1,320 faculty members showed direct effects of mentoring on both positive and negative employee outcomes. Moreover, from the results of testing the buffering hypotheses, it appears that mentoring is possibly not only an important career development and psychosocial resource in prosperity, but also maybe an important tool to improve positive employee outcomes and to reduce burnout when employees are confronted with adverse working conditions. Implications of results and directions for future research are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the career progress of female MBA graduates in Canada and the UK and the nature of career barriers experienced in each context, and proposed a model of the "MBA effect" in terms of how the qualification may impact on career barriers.
Abstract: This article explores the career progress of female MBA graduates in Canada and the UK and the nature of career barriers experienced in each context. Results suggest that while Canadian women have similar career profiles to men, women in the UK lag behind their male counterparts after graduation from the course. At the same time, UK women encounter more intractable career barriers in the form of negative attitudes and prejudice. A model of the “MBA effect” is proposed in terms of how the qualification may impact on career barriers. This incorporates three different types of barriers which are seen to operate at the individual level (person centred barriers) and at the intermediate/organizational level (organizational culture and attitudes, corporate practices) as well as, at the macro level, the impact of legislative frameworks. Results from the UK and Canadian surveys are discussed in relation to this model and in the context of feminist theory and women in management literature.
TL;DR: This article examined women's career types and their effects on women's satisfaction with their career success and their attributions of the sources of this career success, and proposed a typology of four career types that are determined by the manifestation of a woman's career pattern and career locus.
Abstract: This study, examines women's career types and their effects on women's satisfaction with their career success and their attributions of the sources of this career success. The study proposes a typology of four career types that are determined by the manifestation of a woman's career pattern and career locus. It finds empirical evidence of three distinct career types for women: achievers, navigators and accommodators. Women having accommodator career types are significantly less satisfied with their career success than women having navigator career types and achiever career types.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify two features that are decisive for the formation of work identities of employees working in the IT sector: first, an “entrepreneurial” employment model that transfers responsibilities for skills acquisition, professional development and risk management to the individual; and second, a conflict between a strong identification with IT-related technology and flexibility requirements.
Abstract: Information technology (IT) is a new service sector characterised by an intensive dynamic that puts high demands of learning, flexibility and mobility on IT specialists. This article identifies two features that are decisive for the formation of work identities of employees working in the sector: first, an “entrepreneurial” employment model that transfers responsibilities for skills acquisition, professional development and risk management to the individual; and second, a conflict between a strong identification with IT‐related technology and flexibility requirements. The article analyses the implications these features have in terms of the role of initial and continuing vocational training, skills demands and the professional development of employees working in the sector. It also discusses how boundaryless career paths, characterised by ambiguity and uncertainty, influence work‐related identities of IT specialists.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared survey data collected from British TCKs who were currently living in Hong Kong with those of their adolescent peers living in the UK and Hong Kong.
Abstract: Third‐culture kids (TCKs) are adolescents who have lived at least one of their formative years in another country. This study compares survey data collected from British TCKs who were currently living in Hong Kong with those of their adolescent peers living in the UK and Hong Kong. The results unequivocally suggest that TCKs’ perception of being international and their characteristics are different than that of their adolescent peers in the host and home country. More than the other adolescents, TCKs indicated that international experience, parental and institutional education, a second language, neutrality, open‐mindedness and flexibility, attitudes towards other systems and cultures, respect for others, tolerance of others’ behaviour and views, all contributed to the perception of being international. Similarly, TCKs had distinctive characteristics in terms of stronger family relationships, enjoying travelling to foreign places, acceptance of foreign languages, acceptance of cultural differences, and future orientation. Implications for international firms of these fundamental findings are discussed in detail.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the overlapping domains of business/firm and family and suggest that the descriptor of "joint careers" is preferable to that of symbiotic careers.
Abstract: This paper explores the overlapping domains of business/firm and family. Suggests that the descriptor of “joint careers” is preferable to that of symbiotic careers. Describes what we term the primary career and auxiliary career which often go to make up a joint career. Both strands of career are a prerequisite for the resilience and success of the family business. The example of youth entrepreneurship is dealt with to show the possibility of an inversion of the traditional roles with the parents’ career becoming ancillary to that of their offspring. Empirical observations from New Zealand are drawn on to illustrate our discussion. It is hoped that ideas discussed in this paper will aid the understandings of further dimensions and properties of the “thread” of the theory of the boundaryless career and help move forward the research agenda on the united career trajectory.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the career orientations held by professionals and the relationship between career orientation with background variables and career path preference, and found that professionals have high organisational stability, sense of service and entrepreneurial creativity, but low technical/functional and life style integration anchors.
Abstract: The issue of career orientations has become a critical component of career development of professionals in a rapidly changing world. This study examines the career orientations held by professionals and the relationship between of career orientations with background variables and career path preference. Data were obtained from 138 professionals by a questionnaire. The findings suggest that professionals have high organisational stability, sense of service and entrepreneurial creativity, but low technical/functional and life style integration anchors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the challenges to identity at both individual and organizational levels of analysis, posed specifically by merger-induced change, are examined at a more fundamental level of identity process (maintaining distinctiveness, esteem and efficacy).
Abstract: This paper looks at the challenges to identity at both individual and organizational levels of analysis, posed specifically by merger‐induced change. Merger‐induced change can seriously challenge processes of identification, by disrupting cognitive alignments and emotional attachments. An extensive literature review reveals that maintaining continuity of identity from pre‐ to post‐merger is critical to successful cognitive and emotional adjustment to transformational change. Maintaining continuity is a multi‐dimensional consideration contingent not just on issues of content (image, meaning) but at a more fundamental level of identity process (maintaining distinctiveness, esteem and efficacy). It is argued, therefore, that one way in which subjective permanence can be assured is to actively manage individual careers. The literature consistently shows that for many employees, the new investment criterion (on which their contribution to an organization is predicated) is “opportunities for development”. This could be said to hold a key to maintaining and/or forging “relational” relationships in contemporary organizations. So long as employees feel that they are “developing” (e.g. learning new transferable skills, acquiring important knowledge, gaining personal credibility and confidence) and thereby increasing their employability, organisations can, to some extent, overcome employee concerns about future job insecurity by facilitating “subjective security” by furnishing maximum personal potential. In so doing, the organization can secure the human investment it needs to succeed in financial terms.
TL;DR: Kim et al. as discussed by the authors investigated how Korean women employees define their success at work, and how those definitions differ by demographic variables, such as age, years of work experience, marital status, and education level.
Abstract: Investigates how Korean women employees define their success at work, and how those definitions differ by demographic variables, such as age, years of work experience, marital status, and education level. The instrument used is the modified Career Success Map Questionnaire, which was originally developed to measure people's career success orientation. A sample survey was conducted with a sample of Korean women employees in a large Korean bank. Implies, when comparing the results with other studies sampling both men and women (or women only) in either a US or Korean context, that women's career perceptions and career success in a specific culture could differ from those in the same culture, as well as in another culture. Therefore, it is advised that theories should not make the same assumptions regarding career phenomena cross‐culturally, in addition to cross‐gender. Moreover, the managerial implications of this study indicate that organizations can motivate employees with different incentives and options according to their internal orientations, which may differ by gender and cultural background.
TL;DR: In this paper, the ASPIRe model of organizational development is discussed as an appropriate vehicle to provide devalued groups with genuine opportunities for development and empowerment, and the authors argue that such a program has the potential to unlock key enclaves of social capital that tend otherwise to be overlooked.
Abstract: Despite a renewed interest in processes which help organizations to harness social capital, it is apparent that practical efforts to achieve this rarely focus on employees who are members of low status groups. In large part this is because such employees tend to be skeptical of, and to resist, engagement in intervention programs on the basis of previous adverse experience regarding the benefits achieved and lack of trust. This paper presents evidence that, among hospital staff, work groups who felt they were devalued displayed higher levels of cynicism regarding the potential efficacy of a stress intervention program. Within the organization, devalued groups were characterized by lower levels of organizational identification and members of these groups reported under‐utilization of their skills by the organization. Thus, there is evidence that organizations are failing to realize the social capital of specific groups. The ASPIRe model of organizational development is discussed as an appropriate vehicle to provide devalued groups with genuine opportunities for development and empowerment. To the extent that such a program receives genuine institutional support, we argue that it has the potential to unlock key enclaves of social capital that tend otherwise to be overlooked.
TL;DR: In this paper, it is argued that taking a narrative approach to career counseling is both theoretically and practically justified, and a brief case study illustrates the central notions that arise from the theory.
Abstract: This article addresses the issues of career counseling and career‐based satisfaction. It is argued that taking a narrative approach to career counseling is both theoretically and practically justified. The article explores narrative theory in relation to career counseling and identity, and illustrates the central notions that arise from the theory, with a brief case study. It is concluded that a narrative approach to career counseling can assist clients who are uncertain about where to go next in their careers, particularly within the context of the boundaryless career.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed career aspirations of 145 senior undergraduate business students in Canada and found that an overwhelming majority desired an overseas assignment at some point in their career, and they were not adversely affected by the 9-11 terrorist attack.
Abstract: Career aspirations of 145 senior undergraduate business students in Canada were analyzed. An overwhelming majority desired an overseas assignment at some point in their career, and they were not adversely affected by the 9‐11 terrorist attack. While 60 percent of the students considered pursuing a global career with multiple international assignments, 40 percent of those did so hesitantly. While receptivity to international careers was affected by the expectations of how such a career would enhance the quality of professional life and speed career advancement, willingness to accept a particular position was mostly influenced by the extent to which it would allow for a satisfying personal life. An international assignment would likely be rejected if it was at an undesirable location or would negatively affect family life. Women were as receptive to international careers as men, and multilingual students with foreign friends tended to have a strong interest in international careers.
TL;DR: This article examined how women have constructed their careers in a male-dominated profession and found that there is a significant rejection of the traditional career within an organisation; instead there is diversity in the forms of work organisation adopted especially with regard to the desire for control over career and working life.
Abstract: Using data from 37 interviews carried out with female architects in Britain, this paper examines how they have constructed their careers in a male‐dominated profession. The findings indicate that there is a significant rejection of the “traditional” career within an organisation; instead there is diversity in the forms of work organisation adopted especially with regard to the desire for control over career and working life.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an analysis of the impact of sexual identity on the career development of gay men, drawing on both a literature review of the literature on sexual identity, gay organizational studies and career development and the results of a recent interview study.
Abstract: Most of the research on career development of sexual minorities focuses on lesbians. Gay men, on the other hand, have received little attention in the literature as it is assumed that they face fewer difficulties in career development because they are men. This paper redresses this gap by presenting an analysis of the impact of sexual identity on the career development of gay men, drawing on both a literature review of the literature on sexual identity, gay organizational studies and career development and the results of a recent interview study. In accord with other literature, the study demonstrates that gay men, like other sexual minorities, are confronted with a conflict between personal and career needs, and have to deal with society's expectations and intolerance towards homosexuality. Suggestions are given for research that will lead to a deeper understanding of the career decisions and attitudes of gay men.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the importance of existential meaning in career counseling, provide a case study of its application, and relate it to career development theory, and suggest that career development and counseling professionals find existential analysis useful in their service to others.
Abstract: This article discusses the importance of existential meaning in career counseling, provides a case study of its application, and relates it to career development theory Career development and counseling professionals will find existential analysis useful in their service to others Using logotherapy, a counseling professional living in a pluralistic society can assist individuals with distinct worldviews in their search for meaning Given our lives and careers, we can find meaning by creating something or doing some good, by experiencing something or someone, and by our attitude towards unavoidable suffering
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the key findings of the FAME project investigation in the telecommunications sector in France, Germany and the UK and highlight some overall trends and implications of these structural changes.
Abstract: During the last decade the telecommunications sector has undergone an accelerated structural change in work organisation, qualification profiles and the mode of socialisation at work. Telecommunications is taking the lead when it comes to the dynamics of vocational identity transformation. Classical models of vocational identities are declining in favour of a new “negotiator‐network/mobility” mode of socialisation at work. The latter is mainly taken in charge by a new generation of telecom employees who are mobile, flexible and proactive in constructing their own work identities and project‐based work activities. This paper examines the key findings of the FAME project investigation in the telecommunications sector in France, Germany and the UK. The first section focuses on the employers' perception of the contextual background for change. The second section examines employees' responses to these structural changes and new modes of socialisation at work. The concluding section highlights some overall trends and implications.
TL;DR: The relevance of relationships for each paper contribution is explored in this article, which is an implicit attempt at the formation of relational perspectives for the study of careers and career contexts. But it is difficult to find a way to map out a way for studying careers and contexts through an understanding of relationships.
Abstract: The papers in this special edition were presented at the symposium, “Current developments in human resource management and organizational behaviour”, organized at the University of Surrey, School of Management on 22 May 2003. What emerged at this symposium was the significance of “relationships” both within and around organizations as well as between communities of academics, practitioners, and consultants in understanding the development of careers and career contexts such as organizational forms, institutional structures and networks. In order to map out a way to study careers and career contexts through an understanding of relationships, this editorial explores the relevance of relationships for each paper contribution. This special edition, therefore, is an implicit attempt at the formation of relational perspectives for the study of careers and career contexts.
TL;DR: In this paper, the formation of vocational identities of workers in the sector of tourism in the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain is investigated, particularly in terms of changes in work organization, flexibility and how vocational identities are shaped.
Abstract: This article investigates the formation of vocational identities of workers in the sector of tourism in the Czech Republic, Greece and Spain. Major challenges and conflicts shape the sector of tourism as a particular labour space. Emerging issues relate to the need for diversifying the offer of services to face seasonality, strategies of entrepreneurial merging and demands for mobility and flexibility of the workforce. For the individual worker, a complex combination of related factors lead to tensions and contradictions, particularly in terms of changes in work organization, flexibility and how vocational identities of workers are shaped. An active policy for social dialogue and the improvement of working conditions seem to be vital in order to avoid flexibility becoming a synonym for precariousness of employment. Furthermore, the promotion of continuing training, greater recognition of formal vocational education and the development of an entrepreneurial culture are key elements that would enhance opportunities to develop a professional career in tourism.