Intelligent careers and human resource management practices: qualitative insights from the public sector in a clientelistic culture

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically test the intelligent career framework in a public sector setting in a country with a clientelistic culture to inform human resource management strategies.Design/methodology/approachBased on a qualitative methodology and an interpretivist paradigm, 33 in-depth interviews were conducted with Greek civil servants before the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview recordings were subsequently transcribed and coded via a blend of inductive and deductive approaches.FindingsOutcomes of the study indicate that in a public sector setting in a country with a clientelistic culture, the three dimensions of knowing-whom, knowing-how and knowing-why are less balanced than those reported by findings from private sector settings in countries with an individualistic culture. Instead, knowing-whom is a critical dimension and a necessary condition for career development that affects knowing-how and knowing-why.Originality/valueThe theoretical contribution comes from providing evidence of the dark side of careers and how imbalances between the three dimensions of the intelligent career framework reduce work satisfaction, hinder career success and affect organisational performance. The practical contribution offers recommendations for human resource management practices in the public sector, including training, mentoring, transparency in performance evaluations and fostering trust.

Career sustainability of digital micro-entrepreneurs: strategic insights from YouTubers in India

“…A significant advancement of sustainable career theory is empirically evidencing how the bright and dark sides of careers (Baruch and Vardi, 2016;Mouratidou et al, 2023) play out within digital micro-entrepreneurs in India. Within a career ecosystem (Baruch, 2013), the new psychological contract is often portrayed as playing out between an individual and their employer (Baruch and Rousseau, 2019).…”

“…A significant advancement of sustainable career theory is empirically evidencing how the bright and dark sides of careers (Baruch and Vardi, 2016; Mouratidou et al. , 2023) play out within digital micro-entrepreneurs in India.…”

“…Such an approach helps to understand what Baruch and Vardi (2016) term the “bright side” and “dark side” of careers to offer a more realistic picture of career sustainability. While qualitative research has explored this phenomenon in public sector workers in Greece (Mouratidou et al. , 2023), understanding the paradoxes from the interaction of agentic and contextual factors of digital micro-entrepreneurs in India remains lacking.…”

Editorial

“…The next three articles raise important meta well-being questions about industries or groups of people. They are “Healthcare employment landscape: comparing job markets for professionals in developed and developing countries” (Butt et al ., 2024), “Intelligent careers and human resource management practices: qualitative insights from the public sector in a clientelistic culture” (Mouratidou et al ., 2024) and “Paradoxical career strengths and successes of ADHD adults: an evolving narrative” (Crook and McDowall, 2024). Reading these articles together highlights the contemporary complex landscapes and environments that applied methods need to consider as they are adopted for positive change work.…”