Sustainable person-environment fit and subjective career success: The moderating role of resilience

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between person-environment fit and subjective career success (SCS), as well as the role of personal resilience in that relationship. A convenience sample of 742 employees from various sectors in South Africa (female = 55.3%; Afrikaans language speakers = 64.2%; financial = 23%, wholesale and trade = 15%, education = 10%, business consulting = 10%) participated in the study. The employees completed surveys on subjective career success, resilience, and person-environment fit. Multiple regression analyses results revealed person-environment fit and resilience significantly predict subjective career success. Specifically, personal resilience moderated the relationship between person-organisation fit and subjective career success by strengthening the relationship. Moreover, an increase in person-organisation fit was associated with an increase in SCS. Furthermore, for employees with higher levels of resilience, the increase in SCS was much sharper. The study’s findings suggest the importance of personal factors in the occupational thriving of employees in the contemporary workplace.

Keywords:

• moderating role
• person-environment fit
• person-job fit
• person-organisation fit
• resilience
• subjective career success