Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

7-2015

Abstract

Research on job search and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has identified job search attitude, subjective norm, and job search self-efficacy as the most proximal determinants of job seekers' search intentions and subsequently job search behaviours. However, we do not yet know how more distal individual differences (e.g., personality) and situational factors (e.g., social context) might help to predict these key TPB determinants of job search behaviour. In an integrative model of job search behaviour, we propose specific relationships between these distal variables and the TPB determinants, which in turn are expected to mediate the effects of individual differences and situational factors on job search behaviour. The hypothesized model is tested in a large representative sample of 1,177 unemployed Flemish job seekers using a two-wave design and provides a satisfactory fit to the data. Extraversion, conscientiousness, core self-evaluations, employment commitment, financial need, and social support are found to differentially relate to instrumental job search attitude, affective job search attitude, subjective norm, and job search self-efficacy. In addition, all distal variables are indirectly related to job search behaviour through their effects on the TPB variables. These results support our expanded and integrative model of job search behaviour.

Keywords

Theory of planned behaviour, Unemployment, Job search behaviour, Job search, Integrative model

Discipline

Human Resources Management | Industrial and Organizational Psychology | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology

Volume

24

Issue

4

First Page

544

Last Page

559

ISSN

1359-432X

Identifier

10.1080/1359432X.2014.964214

Publisher

Taylor & Francis (Routledge): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2014.964214

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