Towards conceptual clarity: integrating different approaches to employability.

Changes in the labor market and the employer-employee relationship have brought research on employability of employees to the fore. Despite this interest, we see several gaps in the literature. First, there is no consistency in conceptualization and measurement of employability. In response, we distinguish between input-based (employability dispositions, employability competences, employability-enhancing activities) and outcome-based approaches (perceived employability, labor market positions) as a first step towards conceptual clarity. Second, the relationship between the different approaches vis-à-vis employability has hardly been studied. Third, most employability studies to date have adopted an individual-centered approach, focusing upon supply-side factors and hence neglecting the demand-side of the labor market. In response, the aim of the proposed project is (1) to evaluate the conceptual distinctiveness between the notions and measures of employability in greater detail; (2) to examine the interrelationship between input-based and outcome-based notions of employability and (3) to study whether these relationships are invariant across employees facing different internal and external labor market conditions. These aims will be achieved in a longitudinal, three-wave study among a sample of employees from 28 small and large organizations in the industry and the service sector. The output will be two PhDs and twelve peer-reviewed articles.

Keywords:Well-being, Employability, Training, Competences, Career transitions, Career success

Disciplines:Biological and physiological psychology, General psychology, Other psychology and cognitive sciences