Tomlinson, J, Baird, M, Berg, P et al. (1 more author) (2018) Flexible careers across the life course: advancing theory, research and practice. Human Relations, 71 (1). pp. 4-22. ISSN 0018-7267
Abstract
This introductory article sets out a framework for conceptualizing flexible careers. We focus on the conditions, including the institutional arrangements and the organizational policies and practices, that can support individuals to construct flexible and sustainable careers across the life course. We ask: What are flexible careers? Who are the (multiple) actors determining flexible careers? How do institutions and organizational settings impact upon and shape the career decisions and agency of individuals across the life course? We begin our review by providing a critique of career theory, notably the boundaryless and protean career concepts, which are overly agentic. In contrast, we stress the importance of institutions, notably education and training systems, welfare regimes, worker voice, working-time and leave regulations and retirement systems alongside individual agency. We also emphasize the importance of various organizational actors in determining flexible careers, particularly in relation to flexible work policies, organizational practices, culture and managerial agency. Finally we argue for the importance of a life course framing taking into account key transition points and life stages, which vary in sequence and significance, in the analysis of flexible careers. In concluding remarks, we urge researchers to use and refine our model to the concept of flexible careers conceptually and empirically.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2017. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Human Relations. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | careers, flexibility, flexible careers, institutions, life course, organizations |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > Work and Employment Relation Division (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 28 Jul 2017 11:17 |
Last Modified: | 22 Jan 2018 15:59 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | SAGE Publications |
Identification Number: | 10.1177/0018726717733313 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:119337 |