(Re)Framing sustainable careers: toward a conceptual model and future research agenda

Abstract

PurposeBy adopting a Social Exchange Theory (SET) lens, this paper aims to integrate the often-fragmented literature streams of Vocational Behavior (VB), Career Development (CD), and Human Resource Management (HRM) to offer a conceptual model for framing sustainable careers.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual approach is taken whereby eight propositions are developed to integrate the fragmented literature streams of VB, CD, and HRM.FindingsWe posit that external factors and career counseling moderate the positive relationship between employability capital and self-perceived employability. We also argue that self-perceived employability is positively associated with career success and that career crafting moderates this relationship. Finally, we propose that career success is positively associated with a sustainable career, which, in turn, is positively associated with a sustainable organization.Practical implicationsThe practical contribution comes from informing VB, CD, and HRM policies and practices to maximize sustainable outcomes for individuals and organizations. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research.Originality/valueThe theoretical contribution comes from integrating the three literature streams to offer a conceptual model as the basis for further interdisciplinary collaborations.

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

“…First, it enables us to consider the interplay of agency and contextual factors (De Vos et al, 2020;Van der Heijden and De Vos, 2015), addressing concerns that career theory literature has traditionally overemphasised the role of career agency (Delva et al, 2021). Second, we respond to calls to use sustainable career theory as a framework for empirical research (Akkermans et al, 2024;Donald et al, 2020;Donald et al, 2024a), specifically via a qualitative approach (Van der Heijden et al, 2020). Third, we respond to calls for career research to look at non-traditional careers beyond those that play out between an individual and their employer (Baruch and Sullivan, 2022;Cropanzano et al, 2022).…”

“…, 2024; Donald et al. , 2020; Donald et al. , 2024a), specifically via a qualitative approach (Van der Heijden et al.…”