Publication
Title
Mind-sets of boundaryless careers in the public sector : the vanguard of a more mobile workforce?
Author
Abstract
Public management reforms have promoted a new type of public career: boundaryless employees following lateral career trajectories in different organizations. The literature opposes boundaryless careers to the traditional career for life, based on vertical trajectories of promotion and tenure. The implicit image of the boundaryless careerist is one of fast-moving, intrinsically motivated professionals who self-direct their career across old organizational barriers. In this article, we study whether boundaryless career mind-sets are the vanguard of a more flexible and mobile workforce. We describe how many public employees experience boundaryless career mind-sets, and we analyze what drives them. Our research shows that boundaryless mind-sets are still rather exceptional. The traditional career mind-set within the organization prevails and many employees are very satisfied with it. Only public employees who are highly educated, invest in their own career and networks, and were successful in previous mobility experiences report a boundaryless career mind-set. Nevertheless, our research also points to a higher potential for boundaryless career mind-sets.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Public personnel management. - Chicago, Ill., 1973, currens
Publication
Chicago, Ill. : 2014
ISSN
0091-0260 [print]
1945-7421 [online]
DOI
10.1177/0091026014528479
Volume/pages
43 :4 (2014) , p. 490-519
ISI
000347112600005
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Publication type
Subject
Law 
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.12.2014
Last edited 09.10.2023
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