A sustainable career for interim managers: the role of career communities

Abstract

PurposeThis study examines how the collective construction of career sustainability takes place through a career community of interim managers.Design/methodology/approachWe draw on 31 interviews with interim managers who are part of a career community in the form of a professional association of interim managers in France.FindingsThe findings show the importance of career communities as a vehicle through which to create a sustainable career. More specifically, we show that occupational career communities provide mutual and reciprocal career support, collective being and belonging through sense-making as well as collective learning leading to the collective creation of a sustainable career.Originality/valueWe add to the literature on sustainable careers by providing a collective community-level analysis and make a theoretical contribution by using the concept of career communities in shedding light on the career sustainability of interim managers. In the light of the increase in non-standard forms of employment, career communities might become an interesting vehicle for career management and development.

How do individual factors affect career sustainability? An investigation of cascading effects through the career construction model of adaptation

“…, 2020; Tordera et al. , 2020) and contextual factors (Hennekam et al. , 2022; Lent and Brown, 2020; Richardson and McKenna, 2020) on career sustainability, the current study enhances our understanding on the antecedental role of individual factors.…”

“…individual, organizational and contextual) is still in the nascent stages (De Vos et al, 2020). Complementary to studies recently exploring the role of the organization (Bozionelos et al, 2020;de Grip et al, 2020;Pak et al, 2021;Straub et al, 2020;Tordera et al, 2020) and contextual factors (Hennekam et al, 2022;Lent and Brown, 2020;Richardson and McKenna, 2020) on career sustainability, the current study enhances our understanding on the antecedental role of individual factors. These results further strengthen the extant theoretical perspectives (e.g.…”

“…Also, Richardson and McKenna (2020) found that professional athletes achieve career sustainability by continuously exploring long-term opportunities in the labor market. Furthermore, career communities enhance career sustainability by providing career support, collective identity and learning (Hennekam et al, 2022). Though these studies contribute to the advancement of career sustainability literature, they did not explore the role of individual factors (e.g.…”

“…Several recent studies have attempted to examine predictors of career sustainability. For example, studies examined the role of organizational practices (Bozionelos et al, 2020;de Grip et al, 2020;Pak et al, 2021;Straub et al, 2020;Tordera et al, 2020) and contextual factors (Hennekam et al, 2022;Lent and Brown, 2020;Richardson and McKenna, 2020). Though these studies have provided valuable insights, it is largely unknown to what extent and how individual differences play a role in shaping sustainable careers.…”

CARE for professionals

“…This suggestion is in line with recent studies which have argued that career studies should examine the role of social structures such as communities and networks that are external to the organization (Crowley-Henry et al, 2019;Currie, Tempest & Starkey, 2006). These occupational communities have been shown to be able to facilitate career support (Parker, Arthur & Inkson, 2004), and affect career success and mobility (Crowley-Henry et al, 2019;Currie et al, 2006;Hennekam, Becdelièvre & Grima, 2021).…”