Career empowerment: a qualitative exploratory investigation of perceived career control

Grabarski, Mirit ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2981-9410 , Kalyal, Hina ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0696-9739 , Konrad, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6231-2307 , Mouratidou, Maria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8144-3537 , Shin, DuckJung ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9978-1326 and Sullivan, Sherry ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1846-2628 (2025) Career empowerment: a qualitative exploratory investigation of perceived career control. Career Development International .

Preview

PDF - Published Version Available under License CC BY Download (352kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals perceive control over their careers. While careers are increasingly understood to be agentic, agency and control are often assumed rather than explicitly conceptualized. Therefore, there is a need to investigate how people perceive the control they have in order to better understand the role of agency and subjective control in career-related behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 participants from diverse occupations and demographics (e.g. age and gender). The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings: We identified seven unique themes, namely autonomy, impact, meaning, competence, clarity, growth and support.

Research limitations/implications: This qualitative study provides a detailed exploration of perceived career control, which we then label “career empowerment.” The findings can improve our understanding of career-related behaviors and outcomes.

Practical implications: Practical implications pertain to career counseling and organizational support for individuals in achieving their career goals.

Originality/value: While existing career theories predominantly focus on proactive career behaviors and capabilities, the concept of perceived career control as preceding proactivity encourages future research into the full spectrum of active and passive behaviors.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Career Development International
Publisher:	Emerald
ISSN:	1362-0436
Departments:	Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership > Business
Additional Information:	Maria Mouratidou, PhD, Lecturer in Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour, University of Cumbria, UK. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	13 Mar 2025 09:29
Last Modified:	14 Mar 2025 08:15
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8702

Downloads