A systematic literature review and research agenda on employability

E.J. van Harten, Nele De Cuyper, E. Knies, Anneleen Forrier

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractAcademic

Abstract

Purpose. Employability research is quickly developing and this has led to a proliferation of conceptualizations. Recent studies have attempted to bring this back to a manageable set, with three different strands: personal strengths (e.g. employability competencies), individual appraisal of employment chances (self-perceived employability) and job transitions. This sets the floor for integration: interrelationships, both within and across the different strands, are often assumed yet not probed in much detail. In response, our aim is to systematically review empirical research on the relationships among and between the different strands.

Design. We performed a systematic literature review using different databases (excluding studies not in English or with student samples). Final sample size was 47 articles.

Results. Twenty-three studies investigated relationships within a specific strand, mostly personal strengths: relationships are all positive, though with variation in strength. Twenty-four studies probed relationships across strands. Most but not all studies reported a positive relationship between specific personal strengths and individual’s appraisal of employment opportunities, yet those relationships are generally weak. The few studies including job transitions show a positive relationship with both personal strengths and individual’s appraisal of employment opportunities.

Implications and value. Insights in the connection among and across the different strands may help to arrive at a more integrated notion of employability.
Original languageEnglish
Pages75-76
Number of pages2
Publication statusPublished - 29 May 2019
EventEuropean Association of Work and Organizational Psychology Congress - Turin, Italy
Duration: 29 May 20191 Jun 2019
http://eawop2019.org/

Conference

ConferenceEuropean Association of Work and Organizational Psychology Congress
Abbreviated titleEAWOP
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityTurin
Period29/05/191/06/19
Internet address

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