Career Management and Career Advancement in China-the Moderating and Mediating Effect of Mentoring

Abstract

It is necessary on building talents' comprehensive career management and mentoring system in multinational companies in China. However, the consideration for organizational career management (OCM) and individual career management (ICM) relate to career advancement opportunities of talents is unclear. This study examines the role of mentoring in the relationships among OCM, ICM and career advancement from the social cognitive career theory and mentoring theory. Data were collected from 225 multinational companies' talents (middle-level managers) and their supervisors (225) in China by questionnaire. Results showed that OCM and ICM are positively related to career advancement, in turn, mentoring plays a mediating role between OCM and career advancement. The pre-positive establishment of OCM programs plays critical roles in encouraging mentoring, and finally enhances the employees' career advancement. Mentoring also plays a moderating role between ICM and career advancement. Individuals who receive mentoring support will perceive more opportunities for career advancement. Finally, this study discusses managerial implications and highlights future research suggestions.