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Purpose – The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organisational support for career development (OSCD) and employees' career satisfaction. Based on an extended model of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and an integrative model of proactive behaviours, the study proposed that career management behaviours would mediate the relationship between OSCD and career satisfaction, and between proactive personality and career satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach – Public and private sector employees (N=90) participating in career development activities completed a survey regarding their proactivity, OSCD, career management behaviours and career satisfaction.
Findings – OSCD, proactive personality and career management behaviours were all positively related to career satisfaction and career management behaviours mediated the relationship between proactive personality and career satisfaction. There was no support for the career management behaviours mediating between OSCD and career satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications – This study provided support for the extended SCCT model by testing a subset of its proposed relationships using a cross-sectional approach. The sample surveyed (employees participating in career development activities) and the large proportion of full-time employees, may limit the generalisability of the findings. Future longitudinal research could more fully test the relationships proposed by the extended SCCT model and include a greater representation of part-time and casual employees.
Practical implications – The results suggest that there are benefits for organisations and individuals investing in career development.. First, from an organisational perspective, investing in OSCD may enhance employees' career satisfaction. Second, employees may enhance their own career satisfaction by participating in career management behaviours.
Originality/value – This study integrated the predictions of two models (an extension of SCCT and a model of proactive behaviours) to test the influence of environmental (OSCD) and individual difference (proactive personality) variables on career satisfaction. Exploring how organisational and individual variables together influence career satisfaction provides a more balanced approach to theoretical development.
in learning organisations (e.g. school, VET, adult education, higher education)
for those out of work or returning to work (e.g. young people/NEETs, unemployed workers, women returners)
for those in work
for those who are seeking to taper or stop paid work (e.g. moving to part-time work or retirement)
Quantitative methods e.g. surveys
Longitudinal methods e.g. tracking clients, cohort studies
Control trials
Secondary analysis of administrative data e.g. re-examining service monitoring data
Literature review/ meta-analysis
Other (please specify)
No
No
Website address
Attached files
This information was provided/updated by:
Publication name
The impact of organisational support for career development on career satisfaction
Author(s)
Barnett, B.R. & Bradley, L
Date of publication
2007
Country of publication
Australia
Abstract (in English)
Purpose – The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organisational support for career development (OSCD) and employees' career satisfaction. Based on an extended model of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) and an integrative model of proactive behaviours, the study proposed that career management behaviours would mediate the relationship between OSCD and career satisfaction, and between proactive personality and career satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach – Public and private sector employees (N=90) participating in career development activities completed a survey regarding their proactivity, OSCD, career management behaviours and career satisfaction.
Findings – OSCD, proactive personality and career management behaviours were all positively related to career satisfaction and career management behaviours mediated the relationship between proactive personality and career satisfaction. There was no support for the career management behaviours mediating between OSCD and career satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications – This study provided support for the extended SCCT model by testing a subset of its proposed relationships using a cross-sectional approach. The sample surveyed (employees participating in career development activities) and the large proportion of full-time employees, may limit the generalisability of the findings. Future longitudinal research could more fully test the relationships proposed by the extended SCCT model and include a greater representation of part-time and casual employees.
Practical implications – The results suggest that there are benefits for organisations and individuals investing in career development.. First, from an organisational perspective, investing in OSCD may enhance employees' career satisfaction. Second, employees may enhance their own career satisfaction by participating in career management behaviours.
Originality/value – This study integrated the predictions of two models (an extension of SCCT and a model of proactive behaviours) to test the influence of environmental (OSCD) and individual difference (proactive personality) variables on career satisfaction. Exploring how organisational and individual variables together influence career satisfaction provides a more balanced approach to theoretical development.
This paper addresses the impact of career development... [Tick all that apply]
across the life coursein learning organisations (e.g. school, VET, adult education, higher education)
for those out of work or returning to work (e.g. young people/NEETs, unemployed workers, women returners)
for those in work
for those who are seeking to taper or stop paid work (e.g. moving to part-time work or retirement)
Methodologies reported in this paper: [Tick all that apply]
Qualitative methods e.g. interviews, focus groupsQuantitative methods e.g. surveys
Longitudinal methods e.g. tracking clients, cohort studies
Control trials
Secondary analysis of administrative data e.g. re-examining service monitoring data
Literature review/ meta-analysis
Other (please specify)
Is an English language version of this paper or report available?
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Additional information
Website address
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This information was provided/updated by:
Tristram Hooley
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