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Employability and the psychological contract in European ICT sector SMEs

Scholarios, D.; van der Heijden, B.; van der Schoot, E.; Bozionelos, N.; Epitropaki, O.; Jedrzejowicz, P.; Knauth, P.; Marzec, I.; Mikkelsen, A.; van der Heijde, C.

Authors

D. Scholarios

B. van der Heijden

E. van der Schoot

N. Bozionelos

P. Jedrzejowicz

P. Knauth

I. Marzec

A. Mikkelsen

C. van der Heijde



Abstract

This article explores the employability of information and communication technology (ICT) professionals from the perspective of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first stage of analysis, based on over 100 interviews with managers of ICT supplier companies in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the UK), showed most SMEs to have a generally ad hoc approach to managing the employability of their ICT professionals. Assessment and development plans were used primarily to keep skills current to business needs; however, the more developed northern European markets showed greater awareness of the 'high commitment' benefits of a more sophisticated approach towards career management (e.g. through mentoring or career planning). A second stage of analysis based only on UK interviews builds on this to propose a model of positive employer influence on psychological contracts through career and employability management practices.

Citation

Scholarios, D., van der Heijden, B., van der Schoot, E., Bozionelos, N., Epitropaki, O., Jedrzejowicz, P., …van der Heijde, C. (2008). Employability and the psychological contract in European ICT sector SMEs. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 19(6), 1035-1055. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190802051337

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2008
Deposit Date May 22, 2009
Journal International Journal of Human Resource Management
Print ISSN 0958-5192
Electronic ISSN 1466-4399
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 6
Pages 1035-1055
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09585190802051337
Keywords Career management, Employability, ICT sector, Psychological contract.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1555800