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Article
Publication date: 6 April 2020

The purpose of this paper was to examine the influence of generation Y’s career establishment strategies on the self-directedness of their careers, and also determine the…

184

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to examine the influence of generation Y’s career establishment strategies on the self-directedness of their careers, and also determine the moderating effects of gender on the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors looked at three types of career strategies – “creating career opportunities”, “seeking career guidance” and “self-nomination.” They tested the correlations of each one with self-directedness in the career establishment stage. The sampling for the study was general Y employees from multinationals in the Malaysian Electrical and Electronic Industry.

Findings

In analyzing the results it was found that 34.5 per cent of the variance of self-directedness in the careers of generation Y workers could be explained by creating career opportunities, seeking career guidance and self-nomination strategies. The best predictor of self-directedness was “creating career opportunities.” The results also revealed that male respondents were more likely than their female counterparts to use career creating opportunity strategies to achieve self-directedness.

Originality/value

The results show that generation Y workers should take care to improve their skills in order to manage their career development. This requires a willingness to take every opportunity to benefit from education, training and job experience. The authors also advise generation Y workers to seek out career guidance from experienced colleagues. It is also important that career counselors understand generation Y’s values in order to set the most suitable goals.

Details

Human Resource Management International Digest , vol. 28 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-0734

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 September 2016

Maxim Kovalenko and Dimitri Mortelmans

Individual employability has become a crucial element in ensuring labor security in flexibilizing labor markets. The importance of agency-side factors as antecedents of…

2799

Abstract

Purpose

Individual employability has become a crucial element in ensuring labor security in flexibilizing labor markets. The importance of agency-side factors as antecedents of employability has been emphasized in the relevant literature, spurring the criticism that some worker groups may be more restricted than others by contextual factors in respect to their employment prospects. The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically how labor market groups differ in what shapes their employability.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a representative sample of 1,055 employees to detect differences in the impact of career self-directedness (agency-side) and several contextual factors (structure-side) on employability, comparing workers with and without higher education and workers in and outside managerial positions. Confirmatory factor analysis with subsequent tests of invariance was used.

Findings

Results confirm that employability is affected both by contextual factors and by self-directedness. No significant differences were observed between the compared groups in the extent to which self-directedness and the contextual factors influence employability. An important finding is that self-directedness itself is affected by preceding career history (career mobility and previous unemployment), which may suggest a vicious-circle relationship between past and future career precariousness.

Practical/implications

The findings support the view prevailing in policy circles that fostering agency-side factors such as self-directedness is instrumental toward achieving higher employment security. At the same time, individual agency cannot replace traditional policy measures in tackling structural labor market inequalities.

Originality/value

This study uses robust methodology and a representative respondent sample to statistically disentangle the effects of agency and context on employability. Its key contribution pertains to the explicit comparison of different worker groups, with separate contrasts on each model parameter.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2019

Siew Chin Wong and Roziah Mohd Rasdi

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of generation Y’s career establishment strategies on self-directedness career and to determine the moderation effect of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of generation Y’s career establishment strategies on self-directedness career and to determine the moderation effect of gender on the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 188 full-time employees from different functional areas and departments of selected MNCs in Malaysian Electrical and Electronic Industry. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to examine the influences of establishment strategies and the moderating role of gender on self-directedness career.

Findings

Findings show that there are significant positive relationship between career strategies and self-directedness career at career establishment stages of generation Y. There is a significant difference between males and females in career establishment strategy (i.e. creating career opportunities) and self-directedness career.

Research limitations/implications

This paper explains self-directedness career based on the review of related career literatures whereby some may not specifically referring to Generation Y.

Practical implications

Such insights are useful for HRD practitioners dto develop relevant HRD interventions to assist individuals and organizations in career development.

Originality/value

This paper offers new insight into the predictors of self-directedness career and the moderating role of gender on the relationships.

Details

European Journal of Training and Development, vol. 43 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-9012

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Thabang Donald Mokoena and Gideon Petrus van Tonder

This paper aims to determine the impact of mentorship on the development of self-directedness among beginner teachers in their initial years of teaching.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the impact of mentorship on the development of self-directedness among beginner teachers in their initial years of teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher adopted a positivist paradigm to explore the situation of concern. Quantitative research was conducted, involving the collection and analysis of numerical data. Two closed-ended structured questionnaires were utilised, derived from the 40-item self-directed learning readiness scale (SDLRS) developed by Fisher and King, and a pre-determined questionnaire by Glazerman focused on the first-year teaching experience, induction and mentoring of beginner teachers.

Findings

Beginner teachers merely relying on the knowledge obtained from their studies is insufficient to achieve a satisfactory level of self-directedness when starting a teaching career. Most beginner teachers faced significant challenges in their early years of teaching due to the absence of mentoring support. In addition, most indicated that they resume their teaching duties and rely on their district for general support, guidance and orientation. Finally, the results have shown that mentoring positively impacts beginner teachers’ self-directedness.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation was that this study was narrowed to one South Africa University part-time B.Ed honours students working as beginner teachers in different provinces at primary and secondary schools. As a result, the findings of this research might be interpreted by some critics as one-sided and not representative of the views of most beginner teachers in South Africa who are working. The second limitation of this study is the sample size. In this study, 222 responses were received. As a result, the findings of this research might be considered not representative of the target sample size.

Practical implications

The presence and effective implementation of mentoring programmes in schools can positively impact beginner teachers' professional development and retention during their first years of teaching.

Social implications

We contend that our research holds significance for international readership as it aims to garner attention towards potential research endeavours in diverse settings concerning mentorship programs for beginner teachers, specifically promoting self-directed learning. Our research offers opportunities to compare our findings with studies conducted in more comprehensive, comparative contexts and foster research possibilities in broader, contrasting contexts.

Originality/value

Based on the findings of this research, the availability and effective use of mentoring programmes would significantly affect beginner teachers' self-directedness, improve their retention rate and alleviate their teaching challenges. This study was the first research on the perceptions of the influence of mentoring on the self-directedness of beginner teachers.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2013

Ans De Vos and Jesse Segers

Career self‐directedness is a concept that has gained widespread attention in the literature on new careers and managerial thinking about contemporary career development. In a…

2125

Abstract

Purpose

Career self‐directedness is a concept that has gained widespread attention in the literature on new careers and managerial thinking about contemporary career development. In a related sense, the topic of employee retirement has become popular in both the academic and managerial literature. However, to date, career self‐directedness has not been studied in relationship with older workers' retirement intentions. The purpose of this study is to test a model of the relationship between career self‐directedness and retirement intentions, mediated by career self‐management behaviors and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was completed by 271 employees older than 45 working in five organizations. The average age was 53, and 59 percent were female. Participants had been with their current employer for an average of 16 years, and 58 percent of them worked fulltime. The survey included measures of self‐directed career attitude, career self‐management behaviors, engagement and retirement intention.

Findings

Results indicate that engagement and career self‐management behaviors fully mediated the relationship between self‐directed career attitude and retirement intention.

Originality/value

This is the first study to address career self‐directedness in relationship with retirement intentions, thereby considering the mediating role of career self‐management behaviors and engagement. As a result, this study contributes to insights in the validity of career self‐directedness as a predictor of career development using a sample of employees different from the main body of studies using samples of employees in their early career stages. Moreover, it sheds further light on the retirement process by including an individual career attitude and intermediating variables viewed as important to understand contemporary organizational behavior.

Details

Career Development International, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1362-0436

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 September 2021

Jia Fang Siew, Siew Chin Wong and Chui Seong Lim

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationships between learning opportunities, person-organization fit, self-directedness career attitude and job hopping among…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationships between learning opportunities, person-organization fit, self-directedness career attitude and job hopping among generation Y employees in Malaysian small medium enterprise (SME) service sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

Research data was gathered from a sample of 203 generation Y employees from SME service sectors in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modelling is used to perform the data analysis in the present study.

Findings

The results demonstrated that person-organization fit and self-directedness career attitude correlates significantly with job hopping among generation Y employees. However, there is no significant relationship between learning opportunities and job hopping.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides an empirical framework for explaining the job hopping among generation Y employees in SME service based on the review of related careers.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the predicting factors of job hopping among generation Y employees in the Malaysian context specifically.

Details

European Journal of Training and Development, vol. 47 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-9012

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2007

Peter J. Smith, Eugene Sadler‐Smith, Ian Robertson and Lyn Wakefield

The purpose of this research is to show that a key aspect of learning and development of individual employees is that of self‐directedness. This paper will consider the role of…

3040

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show that a key aspect of learning and development of individual employees is that of self‐directedness. This paper will consider the role of the leader in facilitating workforce development in terms of employees' self‐directedness for learning. The research was designed to investigate the views that “learning leaders” in organizations have towards the development of self‐directedness in employees; and to identify strategies that are feasible in developing self‐directedness in operating organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a national research project undertaken in 12 organizations in Australia, representing a range of sizes and a number of industry sectors. Data collection involved interviewing learning and development managers in each organization to gauge the relative feasibility of the implementation of a number of pre‐identified strategies designed to develop self‐directedness among employees within operating work environments.

Findings

The research showed that: learning managers and leaders were generally well disposed towards the development of self‐directedness, and some had already moved to do so; and identified a number of possible strategies for implementation of varying degrees of feasibility. The paper will consider these findings in relation to the concept of a “learning leader”.

Research limitations/implications

Although the research was conducted in a diverse set of 12 enterprises, applicability of the results across an even wider set of enterprises would need to be tested.

Originality/value

The findings of this research provide guidance to learning and development personnel on feasible strategies to use within their own organization to assist with the development of self‐directed learning among employees.

Details

Journal of European Industrial Training, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0590

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 October 2019

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

162

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

This research paper concentrates on investigating career strategies of Malaysian generation Y employees, and uncovers that pursuing a creating career opportunities strategy, a seeking career guidance strategy, or a self-nomination strategy positively influences self-directedness in individuals. Yet far fewer female than male respondents pursued a creating career opportunities strategy driven by career self-directedness at their career establishment stage, but both genders did equally seek career guidance from mentors in a strategic way.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 35 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2013

Eva Kyndt, Natalie Govaerts, Loes Keunen and Filip Dochy

While the professional learning of high‐qualified employees has received a lot of attention, research that focuses on low‐qualified employees is limited. The purpose of this study…

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Abstract

Purpose

While the professional learning of high‐qualified employees has received a lot of attention, research that focuses on low‐qualified employees is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the learning intention of low‐qualified employees as a proximal determinant of their actual participation in learning activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied a mixed method approach. The quantitative part of the section applied a cross‐sectional survey design. In total 673 low‐qualified participants completed the questionnaire. Regression and ANOVA analyses were calculated to answer the research questions. For the qualitative part of this study, 14 low‐qualified employees were interviewed. These interviews were transcribed and encoded by means of descriptive coding and open coding, and split up into different categories using NVivo 8 software.

Findings

The results show that self‐directedness in career processes and financial satisfaction are positively related to the learning intentions of low‐qualified employees. The qualitative part of the research shows that low‐qualified employees primarily relate learning to formal learning activities, and that learning has a negative connotation for them due to prior negative experiences related to school learning.

Research limitations/implications

The quantitative part of the research only considers formal learning, whereas the qualitative part of the research also allowed a discussion of informal learning experiences. Because of the negative connotation that low‐qualified employees attach to learning, it seems that semi‐structured interviews did not yield as much information as expected.

Originality/value

Besides investigating possible antecedents of low‐qualified employees' learning intentions, this research also explores what learning means for this group of employees, who traditionally have an educational background that is filled with negative experiences.

Details

Journal of Workplace Learning, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-5626

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2021

Petra A. Robinson, Maja Stojanović, Zachary Z. Robinson and Renata Russo Lyons

This paper aims to explore the experiences of a high school senior, a doctoral student, a university professor and an online academic coach with a rapid, unplanned shift to online…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the experiences of a high school senior, a doctoral student, a university professor and an online academic coach with a rapid, unplanned shift to online learning in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic to understand the challenges and distinct skills they identify as essential for success in a 100% virtual learning environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Through scholarly personal narratives (SPNs), the researchers shared details and authentic knowledge regarding their experiences and perceptions of successful teaching and learning in a 100% online learning environment.

Findings

The main goal was to identify necessary skills for success in a 100% virtual learning environment resulting from an unplanned shift. The findings show a need for learner and teacher self-directedness in developing a variety of nontraditional, critical literacies.

Originality/value

In light of the imposed and unplanned educational shifts in teaching and learning, this study has strong practical implications for human resource development offered through an analysis of multiple perspectives. This research may lead to a better understanding of how, in a period of rapid, unexpected shifts, individuals need to use self-directedness to leverage personal and professional development opportunities to adapt and succeed in the new environment. Additionally, the authors use an innovative critical theoretical framework to outline the skills the participants report as useful for success in an online classroom during a period of rapid, unexpected shifting.

Details

European Journal of Training and Development, vol. 46 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-9012

Keywords

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