Contextual factors impacting different stages of voluntary occupational Change: the case of Türkiye

Abstract

Occupational change has become increasingly common in recent decades. However, we know little about how contextual factors shape the voluntary occupational change process. By integrating the Careers in Context Framework (Mayrhofer et al. 2007) and the Transtheoretical Model of Career Change (Barclay et al. 2011), this study examines how contextual factors shape the voluntary occupational change process across different stages. Using the framework analysis based on the qualitative data collected from 22 occupational changers from Turkey, findings showed that context of origin, particularly family, perceived judgments, and social relationships, was influential in the precontemplation/contemplation and preparation/action stages; context of work (work characteristics, fit to work) was influential in precontemplation/contemplation, preparation/action, and maintenance stages; and context of society and culture emerged only in the maintenance stage. Combining the contextual and process theories of careers, this study sheds light on how various levels of context play a role in each stage of the occupational change process.