Interfirm Mobility and Career Success of Knowledge Workers

This paper explores the relationship between interfirm mobility of knowledge workers and their objective and subjective career success. Is it true that higher mobility level is related to higher career success achievement as predicted by new career and post-industrial society theories or is it that potential risks and losses accompanying moves are too high and those who hold to long-term employment relationship are still at an advantage? Searching for an answer to this question is the main purpose of the present study. The data collected through an online survey contains information on work histories of 109 knowledge workers in the age of 25-34. The results show that other things being equal both career development strategies might be successful in Russia labour market but lead to achievement of different career objectives. “Mobility” adds to maintaining of employability and salary growth while “stability” ensures vertical career growth and reliability. In addition, the findings draw attention to social capital as an important mediator in the relationship between mobility and career success. Having high level of social capital decreases the risks of negative events in career associated with high interfirm mobility.