When Careers Stall: How Shared Goals, Supervisor Support, and Fair Communication Help

What is it about?

This study examines how career dissatisfaction influences employees’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB)—the discretionary, helpful actions employees take beyond their formal job roles—and how three key workplace resources can offset this negative relationship. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the authors argue that when employees feel dissatisfied with their career progress, they experience resource loss that reduces their motivation to contribute extra effort. However, access to certain resources can replenish these depleted reserves and sustain cooperation. Using data from employees in Mexican organizations, the study finds that career dissatisfaction typically reduces organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), but this effect weakens under three conditions: peer goal congruence, supervisor knowledge sharing, and informational justice. Shared goals sustain belonging, while supportive supervisors who share knowledge restore engagement. Transparent, consistent, and respectful communication further reinforces value and fairness, encouraging employees to remain cooperative and helpful despite frustration. Together, these findings show that clear communication, shared goals, and supportive leadership can sustain employees’ willingness to go above and beyond, even when their career satisfaction declines.

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Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is unique in identifying how peer goal congruence, supervisor knowledge sharing, and informational justice jointly buffer the negative effect of career dissatisfaction on organizational citizenship behavior. By situating these social and informational factors within COR theory, the research shows that employees recover lost psychological resources through alignment, support, and fairness—turning potential disengagement into renewed cooperation. It contributes a nuanced understanding of how interpersonal and communicative dynamics sustain helping behavior under strain. It is also timely, as career stagnation and uncertainty have become increasingly common across industries. Conducted in Mexico, the study underscores the importance of relational and informational trust in maintaining workplace harmony and mutual assistance. The findings offer clear managerial insight: by fostering shared goals, encouraging knowledge exchange, and maintaining open, fair communication, organizations can protect cooperative climates even when career opportunities are limited.