Who earns more and why? A multiple mediation model from personality to salary.

Spurk D, Abele AE (2011)


Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Accepted

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2011

Journal

Original Authors: Abele-Brehm Andrea E., Spurk Daniel

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Book Volume: 26

Pages Range: 87-103

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1007/s10869-010-9184-3

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate multiple indirect Big Five personality influences on professionals’ annual salary while considering relevant mediators. These are the motivational variables of occupational self-efficacy and career-advancement goals, and the work status variable of contractual work hours. The motivational and work status variables were conceptualized as serial mediators (Big Five → occupational self-efficacy/career-advancement goals → contractual work hours → annual salary). Design/Methodology/Approach: We realized a 4 year longitudinal survey study with 432 participants and three points of measurement. We assessed personality prior to the mediators and the mediators prior to annual salary. Findings: Results showed that except for openness the other Big Five personality traits exerted indirect influences on annual salary. Career-advancement goals mediated influences of conscientiousness (+), extraversion (+), and agreeableness (-). Occupational self-efficacy mediated influences of neuroticism (–) and conscientiousness (+). Because the influence of occupational self-efficacy on annual salary was fully mediated by contractual work hours, indirect personality influences via occupational self-efficacy always included contractual work hours in a serial mediation. Implications: These findings underline the importance of distal personality traits for career success. They give further insights into direct and indirect relationships between personality, goal content, self-efficacy beliefs, and an individual’s career progress. Originality/Value: Previous research predominantly investigated direct Big Five influences on salary, and it analyzed cross-sectional data. This study is one of the first to investigate multiple indirect Big Five influences on salary in a longitudinal design. The findings support process-oriented theories of personality influences on career outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

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How to cite

APA:

Spurk, D., & Abele, A.E. (2011). Who earns more and why? A multiple mediation model from personality to salary. Journal of Business and Psychology, 26(1), 87-103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-010-9184-3

MLA:

Spurk, Daniel, and Andrea E. Abele. "Who earns more and why? A multiple mediation model from personality to salary." Journal of Business and Psychology 26.1 (2011): 87-103.

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