Millennial knowledge workers: the roles of protean career attitudes and psychological empowerment on the relationship between emotional intelligence and subjective career success

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential effects of Millennial knowledge workers’ emotional intelligence (EI) on their subjective career success (SCS) through their protean career attitudes (PCAs) and psychological empowerment (PE). Design/methodology/approach: Survey methodology was used to collect data from 623 Millennial knowledge workers in 42 Turkish Information Technology companies. Participants answered the surveys at three different points within a 12-week period. Measures of EI, PCAs, PE and SCS were analyzed using structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method. Findings: The empirical results provide support for the author’s proposed model that positive relations between EI and Millennial knowledge workers’ SCS are mediated by their PCAs and PE. Research limitations/implications: To generalize the study findings, future research should be conducted for Millennial knowledge workers in different cultures and countries. Practical implications: Particularly for Millennial knowledge workers, managers need to be aware of positive influence of EI on employees’ SCS and should consider implementing policies and procedures that recognize EI as a key ingredient for their SCS. Additionally, human resource professionals should aim to create an organizational culture around career development, in addition to career attitudes trainings, and provide career growth opportunities to retain Millennial talent. Finally, organizational development professionals should establish work environments that increase employee empowerment and thus improve SCS. Originality/value: The findings advance the understanding of how Millennial knowledge workers’ EI can influence their SCS through focusing on PCAs and PE. The results underpin the self-determination theory, contextualist action theory of career development and job design theory.