Alessandro Lo Presti, Assunta De Rosa, Yasir Mansoor Kundi, Piotr Mamcarz and Mariusz Wołońciej
This paper aims to examine the mediating role of job embeddedness and the moderating role of organizational identification on the relationships between boundaryless career…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the mediating role of job embeddedness and the moderating role of organizational identification on the relationships between boundaryless career attitude and extra-role behaviours (i.e. organizational citizenship behaviours and counterproductive work behaviours).
Design/methodology/approach
A two-wave study was carried out on 296 employees from public and private organizations in Italy. Boundaryless career attitude, organizational identification and demographics were measured at Time 1. Four months later (Time 2), job embeddedness, organizational citizenship behaviours and counterproductive work behaviours were assessed. Responses were analysed by means of multigroup structural equation modelling.
Findings
Job embeddedness mediated the positive relationship between boundaryless career attitude and counterproductive work behaviours, as well as its negative association with organizational citizenship behaviours; organizational identification buffered this latter indirect effect.
Practical implications
Organizations can promote stronger organizational identification and job embeddedness to retain boundaryless-oriented talent and foster positive extra-role behaviours.
Originality/value
This study integrated the protean/boundaryless careers literature with organizational behaviour theories to examine contextual factors influencing the effects of these contemporary career attitudes.
Details
Keywords
Michał Wilczewski, Zbigniew Wróblewski, Mariusz Wołońciej, Arkadiusz Gut and Ewelina Wilczewska
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the role of spirituality, understood as a personal relationship with God, in missionary intercultural experience.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the role of spirituality, understood as a personal relationship with God, in missionary intercultural experience.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted narrative interviews with eight Polish consecrated missionaries in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay. We used thematic analysis to establish spirituality in missionary experience and narrative analysis to examine sensemaking processes.
Findings
Missionary spirituality was defined by a personal relationship with God as a source of consolation, psychological comfort, strength to cope with distressing experiences, and Grace promoting self-improvement. It compensated for the lack of family and psychological support and enhanced psychological adjustment to the environment perceived as dangerous. Spirituality helped missionaries deal with cultural challenges, traumatic and life-threatening events. Traumatic experiences furthered their understanding of the mission and triggered a spiritual transition that entailed a change in their life, attitudes and behavior.
Research limitations/implications
Comparative research into religious vs nonreligious individual spirituality in the experience across various types of expats in various locations could capture the professional and cultural specificity of individual spirituality. Research is also needed to link spirituality with expat failure.
Practical implications
Catholic agencies and institutions that dispatch missionaries to dangerous locations should consider providing professional psychological assistance. Narrative interviewing could be used to enhance missionaries' cultural and professional self-awareness, to better serve the local community. Their stories of intercultural encounters could be incorporated into cross-cultural training and the ethical and spiritual formation of students and future expats.
Originality/value
This study captures a spiritual aspect of intercultural experience of under-researched expats. It offers a model of the involvement of individual spirituality in coping in mission.