Communication with weak ties and its effect on career reflection

Abstract

This study examined the hypothesis that communicating with the weak ties promotes professional self-efficacy and work engagement, which mediates reflection of one's past career. As a preliminary survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with incumbent employees and analyzed regarding career reflection arising from communication with weak ties. As part of this survey, Japanese employees (n = 340) were asked to respond to questionnaires that measured communication between weak ties, career reflection, professional self-efficacy, and work engagement. Factor analysis of the scores for career reflection extracted four factors: re-evaluation of own work styles, rebuilding of non-work activities, improvement of work autonomy, and evocation of work crisis awareness. Covariance structure analysis indicated that communication about work-related contents and expectations of the future with weak ties promoted the re-evaluation of the employees' own work styles, which was shown to promote professional self-efficacy and work engagement. These results support the original hypothesis and suggest that communicating with weak ties is an important resource for promoting positive change in employees' sense of work.

Japanese Students’ Group Identification, Social Tolerance and Motivation for Intercultural Communication

“…Up until now, social support mainly has referred to "strong ties" that are formed through intimate personal communication. However, it is suggested that "weak ties" may also offer other support [29]. In this sense, it would be desirable for future research to include these points.…”