The Boundaryless Career Experiences of Mobile Spouses in Dual-Earner Marriages

The boundaryless career experiences of spouses who accompany their partners in job-related relocations were examined with a heterogeneous sample of 414 spouses in dual-earner marriages. Results indicated that spouses experienced lateral interfirm mobility in terms of intrinsic job characteristics (e. g., job satisfaction, quality of work life) and downward mobility in terms of extrinsic job characteristics (e. g., pay, promotion opportunities). In addition, the quality of spouse reemployment was related to human capital variables, family power variables, role theory variables, and job search and social capital variables. These findings are discussed in terms of implications for theory and research on boundaryless careers and individual career development. Practical suggestions for career management are also provided.