The Protean Career Orientation: How Need to Express Values and Organizational Values Promotion Combine to impact Positive Work Outcomes

              The protean career (Hall 2002) has been presented as an adaptive approach to contemporary careers in which the individual uses self-directedness to overcome chaotic environments and better shape... [ view full abstract ]

The protean career (Hall 2002) has been presented as an adaptive approach to contemporary careers in which the individual uses self-directedness to overcome chaotic environments and better shape their own destiny. Briscoe, Hall  & DeMuth (2006) clarified that the protean career orientation (PCO) consists of two distinct attitudes:  self-directed career management; and, values-driven career orientation.  Research has shown that the PCO produces several positive career outcomes but the mechanisms by which that occurs are only partially understood.  In this study, we explore how a need to express values and organizational values strength and promotion impact the relationship between PCO and positive work outcomes such as intention to leave, job satisfaction, and self-rated performance.  Part-time working business students (N=435) were assessed on values-driven orientation, protean orientation, and job outcomes.  Results were mixed, showing that the protean attitudes indeed predict a need to express values but differentially impact the predicted outcomes.  Strong organizational values strengthen the impact of the individual protean attitudes as they impact the studied outcomes.