| Summary: | Purpose – This study aims to contribute to subjective career success (SCS) literature using sequential
mediation modeling to interrogate the inter-relationships between dimensions of SCS, including interpersonal
success, financial success, job success and hierarchical success. In doing so, the research provides a nuanced
understanding of career behavior among young adults using the perspective of a non-western developing
context.
Design/methodology/approach – The study is operationalized using 342 survey questionnaires from
Malaysian young working adults (18-34 years). Partial least square structural equation modeling is used as
the main analytic tool.
Findings – The results of the study revealed that dimensions of SCS were related in a sequential mediating
manner. Specifically, an individual’s interpersonal success is the foundation for one to accomplish job tasks
(job success), which then leads to increased prospects for promotion (hierarchical success) and subsequently
financial success.
Practical implications – These findings highlight the importance of interpersonal success as a
foundation of career success and provide evidence for the study recommendation to support young working
adults in building interpersonal relationships, which will help realize other forms of career success. However,
the establishment of a sequential mediation pathway suggests that developing relationships alone are not
sufficient. Study roles and tasks must also be designed to align with individuals’ personal goals for
advancement and success.
Originality/value – The research contributes to knowledge on understanding career behavior specifically
relating to the dynamics and complexities of SCS. The study sheds light on the potential limitation of
operationalizing SCS as a multi-dimensional aggregate construct and provides empirical support for the
proposed sequential mediation model of SCS.
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