Files and links (1)
PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Dissertation
The relationship between career boundarylessness and individual well-being: a contingency approach
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-836
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study is to develop and test a contingency model that examines the consequences of experiencing a boundaryless career from the perspective of an individual. Based on the frameworks of the career enactment and the stress perspectives, the study tests both positive and negative linkages between career boundarylessness and individual well-being. In the positive link, career autonomy derived from experiencing a boundaryless career is believed to enhance individual well-being through its positive impact on career satisfaction and work-non-work balance. In the negative link, career insecurity resulting from experiencing a highly uncertain and ambiguous boundaryless career is hypothesized to reduce individual well-being through its negative impact on career satisfaction and work-non-work balance. Moreover, the current study introduces two moderator variables-protean career orientation and career competencies-as conditions under which experiencing a boundaryless career becomes more beneficial or burdensome for an individual's wellbeing. More specifically, adopting a protean career orientation and developing three career competencies (knowing-why, knowing-how, and knowing- whom) are believed to enhance well being both by strengthening the positive relationship between career boundarylessness and career autonomy and by weakening the positive relationship between career boundarylessness and career insecurity. The data for the study were gathered from 201 currently employed professionals. The results indicated that experiencing a boundaryless career enhances career actors' discretion to determine and influence the pacing, shape, and direction of their careers. Furthermore, as hypothesized in the research model, career autonomy was found to be instrumental in enhancing both psychological and physical well-being of individuals through its positive impact on career satisfaction and work-non-work balance. It was found that several career boundarylessness dimensions influence career autonomy and career insecurity. More specifically, while frequent inter-organizational moves and self-employment increase one's career autonomy, occupational changes and more conventional lateral and downward mobility across organizations reduce one's career autonomy. On the other hand, whereas career insecurity is decreased by location changes, self-employment, and long career breaks, it is increased by occupational changes and higher numbers of career breaks. Finally, the findings of the study indicated that regardless of the extensiveness of one's career boundarylessness, adopting a protean career orientation and developing the career competencies, especially the knowing-why and knowing-whom competencies, are essential to promote individual well-being.
Metrics
65 File views/ downloads
58 Record Views
Details
- Title
- The relationship between career boundarylessness and individual well-being
- Creators
- Sidika Nihal Colakoglu - DU
- Contributors
- Jeffrey H. Greenhaus (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Bennett S. LeBow College of Business; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 836; 991014632080704721