2622 - EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP AND SUBJECTIVE CAREER SUCCESS: THE ROLES OF CAREER ADAPTABILITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ENTITLEMENT

Session: P_D01S010 - Poster Session 10 - Division 1
AUTHORS:
Wang Zhen (Renmin University of China ~ Beijing ~ China) , Qin Ziwei (Renmin University of China ~ Beijing ~ China) , Li Yuhui (Renmin University of China ~ Beijing ~ China)
Abstract text:
Introduction:
In contemporary society, where boundaryless careers have become a prevailing phenomenon, subjective career success has gained increasing importance. However, previous research on the antecedents of subjective career success has predominantly focused on individual difference variables, paying less attention to contextual factors. This gap limits a comprehensive understanding of the formation mechanism of subjective career success. As leadership represents a significant situational factor within organizations, it may substantially influence employees' subjective career success. Therefore, this study examines the impact of empowering leadership on subjective career success.


Purpose:
Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study investigates the effect of empowering leadership on subjective career success, the mediating role of career adaptability, and the moderating role of psychological entitlement.


Method and Results:
Data were collected from 271 employees across three time points over a 12-week period, with samples drawn from various industries. SPSS and M-plus were employed for data analysis and hypothesis testing. The results indicate that empowering leadership positively influences subjective career success. Furthermore, career adaptability mediates the relationship between empowering leadership and subjective career success. Additionally, psychological entitlement negatively moderates both the relationship between empowering leadership and career adaptability and the indirect effect of empowering leadership on subjective career success through career adaptability.


Conclusions:
Theoretically, this study contributes to the subjective career success literature by delineating the mediating role of career adaptability in the relationship between empowering leadership and subjective career success, and by identifying psychological entitlement as a key boundary condition. Practically, the findings suggest that organizations should develop empowering leadership behaviors and enhance employees' career adaptability to foster subjective career success.