Autonomous but lonely: exploring the double-edged impact of idiosyncratic deals on career sustainability
Heng Zhao et al.
Abstract
Purpose This study investigated the relationship between idiosyncratic deals and career sustainability. Based on self-construal theory and the JD-R model, the moderating role of self-construal was examined, followed by the mediating roles of work loneliness and job autonomy. Design/methodology/approach To test our hypotheses, we conducted a three-wave field study with a sample of 406 employees from high-tech firms in Beijing. Findings The results indicated that self-construal plays a critical role in the relationship between idiosyncratic deals and career sustainability. Specifically, employees with higher levels of interdependent self-construal are more likely to experience increased work loneliness when they receive idiosyncratic deals, which reduces their career sustainability. By contrast, employees with higher levels of independent self-construal are more likely to experience greater job autonomy when receiving idiosyncratic deals, thereby enhancing their career sustainability. Originality/value The study reveals the double-edged effects of idiosyncratic deals on employees' career sustainability, providing a more comprehensive perspective for research on career sustainability and its managerial implications.
Evidence weight
Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40
| F · citation impact | 0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20 |
| M · momentum | 0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07 |
| V · venue signal | 0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03 |
| R · text relevance † | 0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20 |
† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.