Work values underlying protean and boundaryless career orientations

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation among work values and protean and boundaryless career orientations. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 238 employees aged 16 to 65 years from the French-speaking region of Switzerland completed two different work values scales as well as protean and boundaryless career attitudes scales. To assess the relationships among these constructs, correlations, multiple regression, and exploratory factorial analysis techniques were used. Findings Results suggested that protean and boundaryless career orientations were significantly positively related to intrinsic, social, and status work values. A boundaryless-organizational mobility orientation was significantly negatively associated with extrinsic/material work values. Research limitations/implications Results have important implications for understanding which work values are typically endorsed by people with a protean or a boundaryless career orientation. Originality/value The present study contributes to the understanding of protean and boundaryless careers by clarifying the relationships among these career orientations and work values.