Predictors of subjective career success amongst women employees: moderating role of perceived organizational support and marital status

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between subjective career success (SCS) and proactive career behavior as well as family support, with a focus on women professionals in India. The study also investigates the moderating role of perceived organizational support and marital status on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of 363 women professionals working in the information technology-enabled services industry in India. The study is cross-sectional in design.FindingsFindings from this study posit the positive moderating role of perceived organizational support on the relationship between proactive career behavior and SCS and on the relationship between family support and SCS. As a moderator, marital status has a positive impact on the relationship between proactive career behavior and SCS but has a negative impact on the relationship between family support and SCS.Practical implicationsThe results from this study will help organizations understand the predictors of career success of women employees. Another practical implication is that this study establishes knowledge of perceived organizational support, a controllable organizational factor as a moderator in positively influencing the success of women’s careers. Leaders and managers can, therefore, use organizational factors to facilitate the success of women employees.Originality/valueThis study is perhaps the first to examine the relationship between antecedents of career success for women professionals in the context of India.