Impact of career shocks on Indian MBA careers: an exploratory study

Abstract

PurposeThe study explores career shocks in the Indian context and examines their impact on the career development of people with MBAs.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth, semi-structured interviews with 41 Indian MBA graduates were thematically analysed to identify career shocks that resulted in different types of transitions. Eight themes were identified based on ongoing and iterative comparison of these instances.FindingsOutcomes relating to competitive examinations that determined entry into various occupations were the first career shock experienced by participants. Geographical considerations were salient in the deliberations involving events relating to marriage, eldercare and spouse relocation. Events at the workplace that signalled uncertainty, a fall-out with one's boss or a request to relocate, prompted participants to switch employers. Some of the observed differences were gender based. While female MBA graduates adapted to handle both spousal and parental responsibilities, male MBA graduates did the same to shoulder eldercare responsibilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's retrospective design could have led to concerns regarding memory recall. The use of open-ended questions partially mitigated this, by giving participants the freedom to recount their experiences, to the extent that they could remember.Practical implicationsOrganisations in India could customise and strengthen policies to support employees who have maternity and eldercare responsibilities. Managers should make greater efforts to have open communication with their subordinates to overcome the challenges of operating in a culture with high power distance and indirect communication styles.Originality/valueThis study explored different types of career shocks and associated transitions. The Indian context, with its growing economy, large population, collectivistic culture and strong influence of family on careers, enabled a deeper examination of novel career shocks. The study also highlighted the dissimilar impact of career shocks for men and women and people at different career stages.

The role of career shocks in contemporary career development: key challenges and ways forward

“…The fourth article features a qualitative study among 41 Indian MBA graduates. Nair and Chatterjee (2021) specifically looked at how career shocks may trigger career transitions. Their findings indicate that career shocks may lead to different career transition types and trajectories.…”

On lemons and lemonade: the effect of positive and negative career shocks on thriving

“…Researchers have also found evidence that negative organizational-related career shocks can impair career optimism (Hofer et al, 2020) and that career shocks moderate the indirect relationship between career competencies and perceived employability (Blokker et al, 2019). Together, these results indicate that careers do not unfold in a vacuum (Felix et al, 2018) and that unexpected events play an important role in one's career development (Nair and Chatterjee, 2020;Felix and Cavazotte, 2019).…”

Workforce's crisis-induced career shock, career preferences, job insecurity, layoff and perceived employability: examining variations based on gender, education level and ethnic origin

“…, 1995; Gati and Perez, 2014). The literature revealed that career shocks can have effects that may vary based on gender (Nair and Chatterjee, 2020; Akkermans et al. , 2021).…”

“…, 2021). For example, in India, women reported arranged marriage as a career shock that negatively impacts their career paths (Nair and Chatterjee, 2020).…”