'Boundaryless' career - Implications for individual and organisational learning

Scientific Essay from the year 2007 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous grade: Disctinction University of Newcastle upon Tyne language: English abstract: ABSTRACTAs companies seamlessly move across the globe in search of talent and resources so to are highly skilled individuals taking up this opportunity to choose a job which best meets their goals and expectations. People are making more frequent job moves than in the past in their pursuit of boundaryless careers. This unpredictable non-linear career creates opportunities as well as problems for both individuals and organisations. In particular it affects both individual and organisational learning and since knowledge is power it affects the prosperity of both. Both individuals and companies need to ensure that boundaryless careers do not adversely affect learning at the person and organisational level. At the person level lack of learning has clear implications for future employability. At the organisation level lack of learning will adversely affect long-term (and in today's fast-changing world even short-term) company performance. Employees are left with little choice but to learn continuously and to expand their networks to maintain employability. Organisations on the other hand are left with little choice but to provide interesting and meaningful work as well as broad management support that enhances individual's skills and develops and sustains careers. 1. Introduction Globalisation and technological advances are bringing new opportunities as well as challenges to both individuals and organisations. As companies seamlessly move across the globe in search of talent and resources so to are highly skilled individuals taking up this opportunity to choose a job which best meets their goals and expectations. Evidently both men and women are making more frequent job moves than in the past (Ackah and Heaton 2004) keenly perhaps navigating across employers a