Covid-19 and the ACCKs At the Workplace
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2021-08-26
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en
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The literature chapter presents research essential to the understanding how the TCK/CCK experience shapes the career sustainability of individuals with multicultural upbringing. Its goal was to present a theoretical answer to the following research question: How has the ACCK’s/ATCK’s sustainable career been affected during Covid-19?. To answer the question, the literature review was divided into three sections: one explaining the ACCK/ATCK lifestyle, one on career sustainability, and one on the influences Covid-19 had on work life. The question and the literature review hint that information on the personal and professional backgrounds ( including current state of their relationships with family and friends and career ambitions), career sustainability, and life pre-Covid-19 and during Covid-19 should be gathered. To give a direct answer to the research question, the theory suggests that ACCKs/ATCKs may not be negatively impacted during the present crisis, Covid-19, as long as they have managed to maintain good relationships with other people and feel accepted by the people in their surroundings.
The answer is based on the idea that the flexible, curious, and open-minded nature of the ACCKs/ATCKs allow them to be willing to learn and adapt to new settings quicker when compared to their monocultural colleagues. Next to learning these skills during their developmental years, their upbringing required them to constantly reflect, learn, and experiment in new settings which makes them aware of the situations in which they find themselves. This awareness is likely to have shaped their perceptions of their careers. To contextualize their personal experiences better and how they shape their decisions with regards to their careers, three aspects have been investigated: mental wellbeing, work-life balance, and career development.
By looking at the mental wellbeing, organizations could predict an ACCK’s /ATCK’s ability to meet organizational targets and their organizational commitment. It has been reported that ACCK/ATCK report higher scores of mental wellbeing than their monocultural peers(Abe, 2018). An explanation for this is based on their good relationships with their parents and possibly other people who they see as part of their support circle. By examining the work-life balance of ACCKs/ATCKs, one can predict the satisfaction they receive from their current employer and their current living environment (host country). For the ACCK/ATCK, these two factors are important to be met because the organization can benefit immensely by having ACCKs and ATCKs who are satisfied with their quality of work opportunities and life opportunities. Additionally, a side benefit of employees having a satisfactory work-life balance means that the employees are unlikely to accept jobs elsewhere so organizations could continue benefiting from the skills, knowledge, and competencies of their current employees. By investigating career development, one would be able to determine proactivity and openness to learn of their employees. For ACCKs/ATCKs, it is expected that they are proactive and constantly looking for ways to expand their knowledge and skill sets. It is expected that they have an intrinsic interest to do so because they would like to know that they could relocate if necessary and be able to find a job quickly. It is expected that for those ACCKs/ATCKs who find themselves in a good overall situation with their relationships and access to their parents during Covid-19, are more likely to use the time of the lockdowns to improve themselves while those who are having troubles with their loved ones, are more likely to quit their jobs and detach themselves from their current environment. Therefore, if an ACCK/ATCK focuses on their development during Covid-19, it is likely because they have a good relationship with their parents and no reason to worry about their parents’ wellbeing. However, this would be something the analysis would reveal.
In order to answer the research question, information on individual background of ACCK/ATCK, perception of their person-career fit, and a comparison of life pre-Covid and during Covid is needed. This is done through the use of Collage-Life Elicit Technique (CLET) and Career Construct Interview (CCI) in order to provide the researcher with a more holistic understanding of the personal situations and perceptions. The next chapter discusses methodology. It starts off by providing some general overview of the methods used (CLET/CCI), followed by discussing the use of the interview techniques used, data collection methodology, participants, analytical techniques, and the coding issues.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen