Networking competence and its impact on the employability of knowledge workers

Abstract

PurposeStudies show that employability is fast becoming a significant subject when managing contemporary careers. Indeed, employee networking is a prerequisite for career success, but the literature lacks findings regarding the impact of networking on employability. Meanwhile, network organizations in the knowledge economy are gaining popularity and bringing rise to the number of knowledge workers in the labor force. The purpose of this paper is to show the impact of employee networking competence on the employability of knowledge workers, particularly in the wider context of network organizations.Design/methodology/approachIn order to verify our theoretical model, data was collected among a controlled sample of 1189 knowledge workers using a Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) surveying technique. Our model was verified through a series of structural equation models (SEM).FindingsResults show positive effects of network organizations and knowledge work on the networking competence of knowledge workers. The employability of knowledge workers does not just increase as these workers perform high-quality knowledge work. In order for employability to rise, knowledge workers must also exhibit networking competence. However, our study findings show that networking competence plays only a mediating role in the employability of knowledge workers.Originality/valueThis study focuses on the employability of knowledge workers in network organizations, which is an increasingly important concept for contemporary management. The paper contributes to the literature through its furthering of network and career management theories.