Workplace-Related Negative Career Shocks on Perceived Employability: The Role of Networking Behaviors and Perceived Career Opportunities

Wenxia Zhou, Xinling Jiang (), Svetlana N. Khapova and Jinzhao Qu
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Wenxia Zhou: School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Zhongguancun Street 59, Beijing 100872, China
Xinling Jiang: School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Zhongguancun Street 59, Beijing 100872, China
Svetlana N. Khapova: School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Jinzhao Qu: School of Labor and Human Resources, Renmin University of China, Zhongguancun Street 59, Beijing 100872, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: While there is a growing interest in career shocks in the careers literature, little is known about how and when they trigger employees’ proactive behavioral responses leading to sustainable career outcomes. The research aims to extend previous knowledge about the effects of such career shocks and uncover their potential benefits. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the study proposes that workplace-related negative career shocks indirectly impact employees’ perceived employability by mobilizing their networking behaviors, especially when perceived career opportunities are present. To investigate this, a three-wave survey was conducted among 269 employees over four months in three companies in China. The results show that workplace-related negative career shocks indirectly contribute to employees’ perceived employability by motivating them to engage in networking behaviors. Furthermore, this positive indirect relationship is stronger for employees with high perceived career opportunities. This study is the first to provide a positive perspective on the outcomes of workplace-related negative career shocks and sheds light on employees’ proactive behavioral responses as a mechanism to explain the impact of such shocks on career sustainability.

Keywords: workplace-related negative career shocks; networking behaviors; perceived employability; perceived career opportunities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11969-:d:1210108

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