A sustainable career for interim managers: the role of career communities

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines how the collective construction of career sustainability takes place through a career community of interim managers.

Design/methodology/approach

We draw on 31 interviews with interim managers who are part of a career community in the form of a professional association of interim managers in France.

Findings

The findings show the importance of career communities as a vehicle through which to create a sustainable career. More specifically, we show that occupational career communities provide mutual and reciprocal career support, collective being and belonging through sense-making as well as collective learning leading to the collective creation of a sustainable career.

Originality/value

We add to the literature on sustainable careers by providing a collective community-level analysis and make a theoretical contribution by using the concept of career communities in shedding light on the career sustainability of interim managers. In the light of the increase in non-standard forms of employment, career communities might become an interesting vehicle for career management and development.

Citation

Hennekam, S., de Becdelièvre, P. and Grima, F. (2022), "A sustainable career for interim managers: the role of career communities", Personnel Review, Vol. 51 No. 4, pp. 1277-1297. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-09-2020-0670