Careers exist in a societal context that offers both constraints and opportunities for career actors. Whereas most studies focus on proximal individual and/or organisational‐level variables, we provide insights into how career goals and behaviours are understood and embedded in the more distal societal context. More specifically, we operationalise societal context using the career‐related human potential composite and aim to understand if and why career goals and behaviours vary between countries. Drawing on a model of career structuration and using multilevel mediation modelling, we draw on a survey of 17,986 employees from 27 countries, covering nine of GLOBE's 10 cultural clusters, and national statistical data to examine the relationship between societal context (macrostructure building the career‐opportunity structure) and actors' career goals (career mesostructure) and career behaviour (actions). We show that societal context in terms of societies' career‐related human potential composite is negatively associated with the importance given to financial achievements as a specific career mesostructure in a society that is positively related to individuals' proactive career behaviour. Our career mesostructure fully mediates the relationship between societal context and individuals' proactive career behaviour. In this way, we expand career theory's scope beyond occupation‐ and organisation‐related factors.
Biradari (Brotherhood) is one of the most important principles of Pakistani culture. The Biradari (Brotherhood) ties are considered very strong among south Asian communities, especially in Pakistan. It is an important cultural element of Punjabi cultural setup, considered as the strong binder in making group alliances and performs a significant role in daily life. The major objective of this research is to study the crucial role of Biradari relations in organizations and how does it affect the career growth of an individual. Academic researchers have highlighted different indicators and factors which contribute to career growth. Social networks, sifarish, and favoritism are deeply embedded dimensions of Pakistani culture. This research significantly contributes to the literature by giving the holistic view of Biradari and the importance of Biradari based networks in job selection and promotion. The research is conducted in the public sector organization of Islamabad (PIMS). The qualitative research methodology was used for this study and data was collected from fifteen (15) employees through in-depth interviews. The results of the study reveal that Biradari significantly influences the career growth of individual and it is considered as strong support for individual career growth. The results have further highlighted that in today's competitive environment individuals cannot able to achieve a successful career without using his/her networks.
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