Linking Career Adaptability and Psychological Well-Being: A Test of Moderated Mediation Model Among Indian Employees

Abstract

The present study attempts to investigate how career adaptability predicts psychological well-being (PWB) among employees based on career construction theory (CCT). Precisely, the study examined the role of career sustainability as a mediator and sustainable career climate (SCC) as a moderator establishing the relationship between career adaptability and psychological well-being. Data collected from 550 Indian employees in the Indian banking and IT organizations indicate that career adaptability has a significant effect on career sustainability that eventually predicts PWB. In addition, the findings on the interaction effect of career adaptability and SCC on PWB via career sustainability highlighted the significance of unison between individual and contextual factors in realizing important employee outcomes. The results revealed that the indirect effect of career adaptability on PWB through career sustainability is stronger among employees who perceived their organizational career climate to be sustainable.

Keywords

career adaptability career sustainability psychological well-being sustainable career climate

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Aggarwal

Singh

A. K.

(2019). CSR and sustainability reporting practices in India: An in-depth content analysis of top-listed companies. Social Responsibility Journal, 15(8), 1033–1053. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-03-2018-0078

Akkermans

Collings

D. G.

da Motta Veiga

S. P.

Post

Seibert

(2021). Toward a broader understanding of career shocks: Exploring interdisciplinary connections with research on job search, human resource management, entrepreneurship, and diversity. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 126, 103563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2021.103563

Barthauer

Kaucher

Spurk

Kauffeld

(2020). Burnout and career (un) sustainability: Looking into the Blackbox of burnout triggered career turnover intentions. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117, 103334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.103334

Baruch

(2006). Career development in organizations and beyond: Balancing traditional and contemporary viewpoints. Human Resource Management Review, 16(2), 125–138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2006.03.002

Blokker

Akkermans

Tims

Jansen

Khapova

(2019). Building a sustainable start: The role of career competencies, career success, and career shocks in young professionals’ employability. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 112, 172–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.02.013

Bozionelos

Lin

C.-H.

Lee

K. Y.

(2020). Enhancing the sustainability of employees’ careers through training: The roles of career actors’ openness and of supervisor support. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117, 103333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.103333

Chin

Jawahar

(2021). Development and validation of a career sustainability scale. Journal of Career Development, 49(4), 769–787. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845321993234

Chin

Jiao

Addo

Jawahar

I. M.

(2019). Career sustainability during manufacturing innovation: A review, a conceptual framework and future research agenda. Career Development International, 24(6), 509–528. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-02-2019-0034

Chudzikowski

Gustafsson

Tams

(2020). Constructing alignment for sustainable careers: Insights from the career narratives of management consultants. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117, 103312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.05.009

10.

De Prins

Beirendonck

L. V.

Vos

A. D.

Segers

(2014). Sustainable HRM: Bridging theory and practice through ‘the ‘respect openness continuity (ROC)’-model. Management Revu, 25(4), 263–284. https://doi.org/10.1688/mrev-2014-04-Prins

11.

De Prins

Stuer

Gielens

(2020). Revitalizing social dialogue in the workplace: The impact of a cooperative industrial relations climate and sustainable HR practices on reducing employee harm. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(13), 1684–1704. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2017.1423098

12.

De Vos

Van der Heijden

B. I. J. M.

(2017). Current thinking on contemporary careers: The key roles of sustainable HRM and sustainability of careers. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 28, 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.07.003

13.

De Vos

Van der Heijden

B. I. J. M.

Akkermans

(2020). Sustainable careers: Towards a conceptual model. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117, 103196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.06.011

14.

Donald

Baruch

Ashleigh

(2019). Striving for sustainable graduate careers. Career Development International, 25(2), 90–110. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-03-2019-0079

15.

Fang

Y. C.

Ren

Y. H.

Chen

J. Y.

Chin

Yuan

Lin

C. L.

(2021). Inclusive leadership and career sustainability: Mediating roles of supervisor developmental feedback and thriving at work. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 671663. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671663

16.

Federici

Boon

Den Hartog

D. N.

(2021). The moderating role of HR practices on the career adaptability–job crafting relationship: A study among employee–manager dyads. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(6), 1339–1367. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2018.1522656

17.

Fornell

Larcker

D. F.

(1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104

18.

Guan

Zhou

Jiang

Zhou

(2015). Perceived organizational career management and career adaptability as predictors of success and turnover intention among Chinese employees. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 88, 230–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2015.04.002

19.

Guerci

Pedrini

(2014). The consensus between Italian HR and sustainability managers on HR management for sustainability-driven change – towards a ‘strong’ HR management system. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(13), 1787–1814. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2013.860388

20.

Guest

D. E.

(2017). Human resource management and employee well-being: Towards a new analytic framework: HRM and employee well-being: New analytic framework. Human Resource Management Journal, 27(1), 22–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12139

21.

Gulyani

Bhatnagar

(2017). Mediator analysis of passion for work in Indian millennials: Relationship between protean career attitude and proactive work behavior. Career Development International, 22(1), 50–69. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-04-2016-0057

22.

Hair

J. F.

Anderson

R. E.

Babin

B. J.

Black

W. C.

(2010). Multivariate data analysis: A global perspective. Pearson Education.

23.

Hall

D. T.

Yip

(2014). Career cultures and climates in organizations. In Schneider

Barbera

K. M.

(Eds.). The Oxford handbook of organizational climate and culture(pp. 215–234). Oxford University Press.

24.

Hartung

P. J.

Taber

B. J.

(2008). Career construction and subjective well-being. Journal of Career Assessment, 16(1), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072707305772

25.

Hayes

A. F.

(2018). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis. A regression-based approach (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.

26.

Hirschi

(2009). Career adaptability development in adolescence: Multiple predictors and effect on sense of power and life satisfaction. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 74(2), 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.01.002

27.

L. T.

Bentler

P. M.

(1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

28.

Johnston

(2016). A systematic review of the career adaptability literature and future outlook. Journal of Career Assessment, 26(1), 3–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072716679921

29.

Karatepe

O. M.

Olugbade

O. A.

(2017). The effects of work social support and career adaptability on career satisfaction and turnover intentions. Journal of Management and Organization, 23(3), 337–355. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2016.12

30.

Konstam

Celen-Demirtas

Tomek

Sweeney

(2015). Career adaptability and subjective well-being in unemployed emerging adults: A promising and cautionary tale. Journal of Career Development, 42(6), 463–477. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845315575151

31.

Little

T. D.

Rhemtulla

Gibson

Schoemann

A. M.

(2013). Why the items versus parcels controversy needn’t be one. Psychological Methods, 18(3), 285–300. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0033266

32.

Maggiori

Johnston

C. S.

Krings

Massoudi

Rossier

(2013). The role of career adaptability and work conditions on general and professional well-being. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 83(3), 437–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2013.07.001

33.

Maggiori

Rossier

Savickas

M. L.

(2017). Career adapt-abilities scale – short form (CAAS-SF): Construction and validation. Journal of Career Assessment, 25(2), 312–325. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072714565856

34.

McDonald

K. S.

V Hite

L. M.

(2018). Conceptualizing and creating sustainable careers. Human Resource Development Review, 17(4), 349–372. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484318796318

35.

Newman

K. L.

(2011). Sustainable careers. Organizational Dynamics, 40(2), 136–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2011.01.008

36.

Nimmi

P. M.

Zakkariya

K. A.

Philip

A. V.

(2022). Enhancing employee wellbeing – an employability perspective. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 30(1), 102–120. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-03-2021-0116

37.

Pak

Kooij

De Lange

A. H.

Meyers

M. C.

van Veldhoven

(2021). Unravelling the process between career shock and career (un)sustainability: Exploring the role of perceived human resource management. Career Development International, 26(4), 514–539. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-10-2018-0271

38.

Pal

Jena

L. K.

(2021). Career adapt-abilities scale-short form: Validation for use in India. Vision, 097226292110503. https://doi.org/10.1177/09722629211050310

39.

Rodrigues

Butler

C. L.

Guest

(2020). Evaluating the employability paradox: When does organizational investment in human capital pay off? The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(9), 1134–1156. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2019.1704825

40.

Rudolph

C. W.

Lavigne

K. N.

Katz

I. M.

Zacher

(2017). Linking dimensions of career adaptability to adaptation results: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 102, 151–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.06.003

41.

Ruiz-Castro

Van der Heijden

Henderson

E. L.

(2020). Catalysts in career transitions: Academic researchers transitioning into sustainable careers in data science. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 122, 103479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103479

42.

Savickas

Porfeli

(2012). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: Construction, reliability, and measurement equivalence across 13 countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(3), 661–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011

43.

Savickas

M. L.

(2013). The theory and practice of career construction. In Lent

R. W.

Brown

S. D.

(Eds.). Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (pp. 42–70). John Wiley and Sons.

44.

Spurk

Kauffeld

Meinecke

A. L.

Ebner

(2016). Why do adaptable people feel less insecure? Indirect effects of career adaptability on job and career insecurity via two types of perceived marketability. Journal of Career Assessment, 24(2), 289–306. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072715580415

45.

Stead

G. B.

LaVeck

L. M.

Hurtado Rua

S. M.

(2022). Career adaptability and career decision self-efficacy: Meta-analysis. Journal of Career Development, 49(4), 951–964. https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453211012477

46.

Tolentino

L. R.

Sedoglavich

V. N.

Garcia

P. R. J. M.

Restubog

S. L. D.

(2014). The role of career adaptability in predicting entrepreneurial intentions: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 85(3), 403–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2014.09.002

47.

Tordera

Peiró

J. M.

Ayala

Villajos

Truxillo

(2020). The lagged influence of organizations’ human resources practices on employees’ career sustainability: The moderating role of age. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 120, 103444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103444

48.

Udayar

Fiori

Thalmayer

A. G.

Rossier

(2018). Investigating the link between trait emotional intelligence, career indecision, and self-perceived employability: The role of career adaptability. Personality and Individual Differences, 135, 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.06.046

49.

Urbanaviciute

Bühlmann

Rossier

(2019). Sustainable careers, vulnerability, and well-being: Towards an integrative approach. In Maree

J. G.

(Ed.). Handbook of innovative career counselling (pp. 52–70). Springer International Publishing.

50.

Urbanaviciute

Udayar

Rossier

(2019). Career adaptability and employee well-being over a two-year period: Investigating cross-lagged effects and their boundary conditions. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 111, 74–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.10.013

51.

Van der Heijden

B. I. J. M.

De Vos

(2015). Sustainable careers: Introductory chapter. In De Vos

Van der Heijden

B. I. J. M.

(Eds.). Handbook of research on sustainable careers (pp. 1–19). Edward Elgar Publishing.

52.

Gong

Chen

(2020). The role of career adaptability and resilience in mental health problems in Chinese adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 112, 104893. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104893

53.

Zheng

Zhu

Zhao

Zhang

(2015). Employee well-being in organizations: Theoretical model, scale development, and cross-cultural validation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(5), 621–644. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.1990

54.

Financial Express (2021). Biz responsibility, sustainability report mandatory for top 1,000 listed cos from FY23: Sebi, 25 March. The Indian Express. available at: https://www.financialexpress.com/market/biz-responsibility-sustainability-report-mandatory-for-top-1000-listed-cos-from-fy23-sebi/2220414/ (accessed 13 June 2022).