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The outcomes and correlates of job search objectives: searching to leave or searching for leverage?
Wendy R Boswell1, John W Boudreau, Benjamin B Dunford
1Department of Management, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, TX 77843-4221, USA. wboswell@tamu.edu
Abstract:
The authors investigate a previously overlooked yet important objective for employee job search--seeking leverage against the current employer. They explore the outcomes and correlates of leverage-seeking search and how it may differ from the more traditional objective for engaging in job search--to change jobs. Results show that leverage-seeking and separation-seeking search objectives associate with different outcomes. The authors also find that characteristics of the work situation and individual differences associate with leverage-seeking search and relate differently with the 2 job search objectives. Implications for practice and the advancement of job search research are discussed.
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