Examining mediating and moderating influences among career competencies and leadership aspiration
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration among women IT/ITeS professionals in South India, examining the mediating effects of work role salience and occupational self-efficacy, along with the moderating effect of achievement aspiration.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consists of 348 women professionals working in the IT/ITeS industry in South India. The study adopts a descriptive methodology and employs a cross-sectional research design.
Findings
The result shows that work role salience mediates the relationship between career competencies and leadership aspiration and that this mediation is moderated by achievement aspiration. Additionally, occupational self-efficacy is found to have a supplementary effect on leadership aspiration, further contributing to the model.
Research limitations/implications
Despite the limitations of online data collection, the study showcases adaptability, providing valuable insights into women's career aspirations. It acknowledges opportunities for future research improvements, such as implementing longitudinal frameworks and incorporating a more diverse sample, to enhance the robustness and applicability of findings.
Practical implications
The study offers valuable insights for managers, researchers and academia, aiding in the identification of crucial competencies for women aspiring to leadership roles, and fostering the retention of top talent in a diverse and inclusive work environment. Individuals can leverage these insights for enhanced career development by recognizing and emphasizing strengths while addressing weaknesses through accurate self-assessments.
Originality/value
This study offers a novel perspective by identifying the essential competencies that are crucial for women to achieve leadership positions, thus making a valuable contribution to the existing literature in the field.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the valuable contributions of Professor Somasekharan Pillai M, Department of Statistics, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, and the constructive reviews and feedbacks received from Dr. S. Amilan, Department of Commerce and Dr. C. Madhavaiah, Department of Management Studies, Pondicherry University.
Citation
Nair, A.L. and Senthil Kumar, S.A. (2024), "Examining mediating and moderating influences among career competencies and leadership aspiration", Journal of Management Development, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-08-2023-0253
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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