Work Motivation and Career Autonomy as Predictors of Women’s Subjective Career Success in STEM
Open Access
- 8 September 2021
- journal article
- Published by Vilnius University Press in Acta Paedagogica Vilnensia
- Vol. 46, 73-89
- https://doi.org/10.15388/actpaed.2021.46.5
Abstract
The minority status of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions makes their successful career development difficult. Due to gender-specific challenges, career dissatisfaction contributes to women dropping out of STEM careers. Therefore, women’s subjective career success (SCS) is important to persist and progress in their STEM careers. This study analyzed the influence of different types of work motivation and the perceived career autonomy on SCS of women. Specifically, 318 women working in STEM professions in Germany completed a quantitative online questionnaire. Using an ordinary least squares regression for variables predicting SCS measured as career satisfaction, we found that an intrinsic work motivation positively affects women’s SCS. The perception of high career autonomy was related positively, and the perception of low career autonomy was related negatively to SCS. Unexpectedly, the findings also revealed the positive influence of income on women’s SCS. The findings show that intrinsic work motivation and high perceived autonomy are promoting factors for SCSs, which could also contribute to their retention in STEM professions.Keywords
This publication has 32 references indexed in Scilit:
- Unstable Identity CompatibilityPsychological Science, 2013
- The impact of career boundarylessness on subjective career success: The role of career competencies, career autonomy, and career insecurityJournal of Vocational Behavior, 2011
- The Motivation at Work Scale: Validation Evidence in Two LanguagesEducational and Psychological Measurement, 2010
- How do objective and subjective career success interrelate over time?Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 2009
- PREDICTORS OF OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE CAREER SUCCESS: A META‐ANALYSISPersonnel Psychology, 2005
- Factors related to the career satisfaction of older managerial and professional womenCareer Development International, 2005
- Women's career development phasesCareer Development International, 2005
- Self‐determination theory and work motivationJournal of Organizational Behavior, 2005
- What it Means to Succeed: Personal Conceptions of Career Success Held by Male and Female Managers at Different AgesBritish Journal of Management, 1999
- THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS, GENERAL MENTAL ABILITY, AND CAREER SUCCESS ACROSS THE LIFE SPANPersonnel Psychology, 1999