Unveiling the antecedents of career sustainability in project management

Abstract

Purpose Despite the significant growth of project management as a field, it remains undervalued as a recognised career path within many organisations. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the factors that contribute to the sustainability of project managers’ careers. Specifically, this research assesses the role of career motivation, organisational support and supervisor support in enhancing career sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 224 project managers, a conceptual model is tested using partial least squares. Findings Career motivation, supervisor support and organisational support all play crucial roles in enhancing project managers’ perception of career sustainability. Supervisor support positively influences career motivation, and the latter mediates the relationship between supervisor support and one dimension of career sustainability – resourcefulness. Besides, organisational support is positively related to resourcefulness. The model demonstrates a good explanatory power of career sustainability, especially resourcefulness. Research limitations/implications The use of a convenience sample limits generalisability. Future research should include diverse cultural contexts and longitudinal designs to better establish causal relationships. Practical implications Organisations should develop programmes to enhance project managers’ career motivation and provide tailored supervisor support. Investing in both tangible and intangible resources will help sustain their career paths. Originality/value This study advances the project management literature by integrating personal and contextual factors into a comprehensive model of career sustainability. It highlights the synergistic effects of career motivation, organisational support and supervisor support.