A cross-cultural application of a career planning model

Data obtained from a sample of technical, professional and administrative/managerial employees (N = 214) in Singapore were used to examine the cross-cultural generalizability of a version of Gould's career planning model. The recursive model depicts the mechanisms through which career planning affects career behavior (career strategy) and attitudes (career satisfaction, self-esteem at work and career commitment) and thereby reinforce the career planning function. Path analysis results of the four structural equations provided modest support for the hypothesized relations. In addition to the hypothesized relations, the results revealed some significant direct paths that were not hypothesized. Limitations of the study, implications of the findings and a direction for future studies are discussed.