PhD Studentship: Exploring informal processes in the workplace to develop contemporary career interventions, using a reconceptualised framework of career success.

The distinction between formal and informal organisational processes has been an overarching theme within the careers literature for many years (Roethlisberger & Dickson, 1939). Formal processes are defined by structure, policies, procedures, strategies and objectives designed by managers that can be assessed objectively and changed relatively rapidly (Gulati & Puranam, 2009). In contrast, informal processes refer to the social, subjective structures that influence how employees work together, comprising of behaviours, attitudes, interactions, norms and networks that are embedded in the culture of organisations (de Toni & Nonino, 2010; Wyatt & Silvester, 2015). These concepts are becoming increasingly important to individual perceptions of career development and success, as the experience of both formal and informal processes are thought to be key factors that will influence an individual’s willingness to participate in career development activities (Kim, 2005).

A study by Solowiej (2014) found that males in female-dominated occupations emphasised the importance of informal processes in the work environment that contributed to their achievement of career success, including opportunities to socialise and build relationships with work colleagues, opportunities to collaborate with colleagues or give/receive informal support, informal recognition and feedback from work colleagues, and flexibility to achieve success in other areas of life. These findings lead to the development of a framework of career success, outlining key themes of personal, professional, social and life success, that warrants further exploration of its application in other occupational contexts. This framework is supportive of Marchington and Suter (2013) who emphasise the importance of informality at work, as it is often through social interaction that individuals are more likely to hear about workplace development opportunities, as well as providing a platform to develop valuable relationships with work colleagues (Shore, Taylor, Coyle-Shapiro, & Tetrick, 2004). Moreover, Boxall, Haynes and Freeman (2007) indicate that systems that promote informality in the workplace have the potential to enhance trust, satisfaction, commitment and success.

Despite this, studies that explore the value of informal processes and social interaction in relation to career success appear to be limited, yet this is an important avenue of research to expand on current perceptions that many organisations rely on formal objective measures as part of isolated events to identify individual needs (Grant & Ashford, 2008; Van der Rijt, 2012). As a result, Hoogervorst, van der Flier and Koopman (2004) emphasise potential negative consequences of poor communication and interventions that are ineffective in supporting career development and success, which has important implications for individuals who enter occupations with personal motivations and expectations in relation to their own definitions of career success.

The studentship will aim to address the gap in the literature that suggests organisations are yet to recognise the value of utilising informal processes within the work environment that may be effective for supporting development and the achievement of career success. Additionally, the proposed research will seek to explore the value of informal processes in relation to perceptions of career success using the reconceptualised framework of career success developed by Solowiej (2014), to contribute to the careers evidence-base and inform contemporary organisational career development practices. It is anticipated that a qualitative methodology will be utilised to provide the basis for developing, implementing and evaluating a contemporary career intervention, as appropriate.

For further details and for an application form visit: http://www.worcester.ac.uk/researchstudentships

For an informal discussion about the studentship please contact Dr Kazia Solowiej (email: [Email Address Removed])

For questions regarding the application process, please contact the Research School (email: [Email Address Removed] or tel: +44 1905 54 2182)