International Journal of Career Management

Irene Hau‐siu Chow

1994 International Journal of Career Management

doi: 10.1108/09556219410066646

Describes the attitude of Chinese managers towards their work. Compares predictors of organizational commitment between Chinese managers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Explores relationships between the perceived career prospects and organizational commitment. Considers the implications for career and management development.

James S. Lawson

1994 International Journal of Career Management

doi: 10.1108/09556219410066655

Although the nature of work undertaken by managers of organizations has been widely studied, the influence of personalities of managers, particularly in the public sector, appears not to have been examined in detail. The personality characteristics of 50 senior Australian public sector managers are compared with their achievements in terms of the known objectives of their organizations. Describes the outcome of this study. Identifies flaws including lack of trust in subordinates, lack of inspiring trust from subordinates, lack of commitment and aggressive selfish behaviour. Demonstrates that such flaws can bring about disaster for the manager and for the organization.

James C. Sarros; Joseph C. Santora

1994 International Journal of Career Management

doi: 10.1108/09556219410066664

Describes a study of 104 CEOs in Australia′s top 500 companies. Identifies their reasons for success in times of economic downturn. These reasons and attributes contained both “hard” and “soft” management skills, such as strategic management and interpersonal relationships respectively. Compares major management challenges facing these executives with findings in the USA. These challenges included global competition, personnel matters, and continuous change. Ends with strategies for business success based on the findings, with the emphasis on international competitiveness, workplace rationalizations, and leadership paramount.

Ronald J. Burke; Carol A. McKeen

1994 International Journal of Career Management

doi: 10.1108/09556219410066673

Describes a study which examined the relationship of employment gaps to measures of work outcomes and emotion wellbeing. Data were collected from a diverse sample of 792 managerial and professional women using questionnaires completed anonymously. Managerial women with more employment gaps were older, more likely married, had more children if married, earned less income and worked fewer hours and extra‐hours per week. Women with more employment gaps also reported less career satisfaction, less job involvement and less optimistic career prospects. Employment gaps were not, however, related to psychological wellbeing. Women reporting more employment gaps earned less income though having more work experience and similar educational qualifications and credentials.

Martin Kimeldorf

1994 International Journal of Career Management

doi: 10.1108/09556219410066682

Suggests journal writing can help integrate and personalize occupational change and so provides a journal‐writing exercise to illustrate a focused career exploration exercise. Provides a series of steps/tasks to bring the reader′s creative self‐knowledge to the fore to reveal true dreams and passions. Includes talents lists which supply list‐creating activities: a lists analysis; combining and prioritizing to develop category labels describing strongest interests and talents; playing with dream jobs; and “Job Wanted”, part of which has the reader writing a “help wanted” advertisement to describe skills needed for a job using favourite talents. Advises the reader to form networks with people who have similar interests to gain knowledge of job openings.