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Careers in context: An international study of career goals as mesostructure between societies' career‐related human potential and proactive career behaviour
Author(s) -
Andresen Maike,
Apospori Eleni,
Gunz Hugh,
Suzanne Pamela Agata,
Taniguchi Mami,
Lysova Evgenia I.,
Adeleye Ifedapo,
Babalola Olusegun,
Bagdadli Silvia,
Bakuwa Rhoda,
Bogićević Milikić Biljana,
Bosak Janine,
Briscoe Jon P.,
Cha JongSeok,
Chudzikowski Katharina,
Cotton Richard,
Dello Russo Silvia,
Dickmann Michael,
Dries Nicky,
Dysvik Anders,
EggenhoferRehart Petra,
Fei Zhangfeng,
Ferencikova Sonia,
Gianecchini Martina,
Gubler Martin,
Hackett Denisa,
Hall Douglas T.,
Jepsen Denise,
ÇakmakOtluoğlu Kadriye Övgü,
Kaše Robert,
Khapova Svetlana,
Kim Najung,
Lazarova Mila,
Lehmann Philip,
Madero Sergio,
Mandel Debbie,
Mayrhofer Wolfgang,
Mishra Sushanta Kumar,
Naito Chikae,
Nikodijević Ana D.,
Parry Emma,
Reichel Astrid,
Rozo Posada Paula Liliana,
Saher Noreen,
Saxena Richa,
Schleicher Nanni,
Shen Yan,
Schramm Florian,
Smale Adam,
Unite Julie,
Verbruggen Marijke,
Zikic Jelena
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
human resource management journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.44
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1748-8583
pISSN - 0954-5395
DOI - 10.1111/1748-8583.12247
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , globe , scope (computer science) , career development , mediation , sociology , public relations , career management , psychology , social psychology , political science , social science , paleontology , neuroscience , computer science , biology , programming language
Abstract Careers exist in a societal context that offers both constraints and opportunities for career actors. Whereas most studies focus on proximal individual and/or organisational‐level variables, we provide insights into how career goals and behaviours are understood and embedded in the more distal societal context. More specifically, we operationalise societal context using the career‐related human potential composite and aim to understand if and why career goals and behaviours vary between countries. Drawing on a model of career structuration and using multilevel mediation modelling, we draw on a survey of 17,986 employees from 27 countries, covering nine of GLOBE's 10 cultural clusters, and national statistical data to examine the relationship between societal context (macrostructure building the career‐opportunity structure) and actors' career goals (career mesostructure) and career behaviour (actions). We show that societal context in terms of societies' career‐related human potential composite is negatively associated with the importance given to financial achievements as a specific career mesostructure in a society that is positively related to individuals' proactive career behaviour. Our career mesostructure fully mediates the relationship between societal context and individuals' proactive career behaviour. In this way, we expand career theory's scope beyond occupation‐ and organisation‐related factors.