Career decisiveness: the role of motivational factors and career planning attitudes

Purpose - This paper investigates the mediating role of career planning attitudes (career optimism, career adaptability and perceived knowledge of job market) on the relationship between motivational factors (goal, emotion, context belief and capability belief) and career decisiveness. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected from 302 undergraduate final semester students in India. Data were collected using survey questionnaire methods at two phases T1 and T2 within an interval of eight months. Structural equation modeling using AMOS was used for data analysis. Findings - The findings of the study suggested that individual components of career planning attitudes as well as the collective career planning attitudes fully mediate dimensions of motivational systems theory and career decisiveness relationship. Practical implications - The findings of the study could help those who are associated with developing and conducting career planning and development programs. Originality/value - This study explored the antecedents and consequences of career planning attitudes, integrating both individual and contextual factors.