The role of agentic disposition and orientation on the career competencies of graduating students: a four-country study

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of an agentic disposition (proactive personality) and an agentic career orientation (protean career orientation) on the agentic career competencies of graduating students in four culturally diverse countries. Design/methodology/approach We surveyed 662 graduating business students from Belgium, India, Ireland and the USA using a cross-sectional, cross-cultural research design. Responses were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings The results confirmed that country context matters when considering individuals’ career competencies and the antecedents explaining them. While proactive personality was associated with the development of career competencies in all countries, the mediating role of protean career orientation was more important in the non-Anglo countries of Belgium and India. Originality/value This study demonstrates the importance of incorporating country context when studying agentic career concepts.