Article: How career identity shapes subjective career success: evidence from early career office employees via protean attitudes and work-life balance Journal: International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology (IJQET) 2026 Vol.11 No.2 pp.225 - 245 Abstract: Unstable employment conditions have heightened interest in subjective career success and its early career drivers. This study examines how career identity relates to subjective success through protean attitudes and work-life balance among early career office employees. Using survey data from workers with five years or less total experience, we estimated a structural equation model with validated multi-item scales. Results show that career identity strengthens protean orientations, and via improved balance, relates to higher subjective success; self-directedness displayed broader links than values orientation. Overall, identity formation appears to enable self-directed, value aligned career management that, with better balance, elevates perceptions of attainment and opportunity. Practically, organisations can support identity formation, encourage self-directed development and value congruence, and expand balance friendly practices. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: How career identity shapes subjective career success: evidence from early career office employees via protean attitudes and work-life balance

Authors: Sangyong Lee; Sarah Yoonsuh Lee; JeongGyu Seo; Insu Cho

Addresses: School of Business Administration, Soongsil University, 369, Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06978, South Korea ' Lycee International Xavier, 23, Bibong-gil (151, Gugi-dong), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea ' Department of Project Management, Soongsil University, South Korea ' School of Business Administration, Soongsil University, 369, Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06978, South Korea

Abstract: Unstable employment conditions have heightened interest in subjective career success and its early career drivers. This study examines how career identity relates to subjective success through protean attitudes and work-life balance among early career office employees. Using survey data from workers with five years or less total experience, we estimated a structural equation model with validated multi-item scales. Results show that career identity strengthens protean orientations, and via improved balance, relates to higher subjective success; self-directedness displayed broader links than values orientation. Overall, identity formation appears to enable self-directed, value aligned career management that, with better balance, elevates perceptions of attainment and opportunity. Practically, organisations can support identity formation, encourage self-directed development and value congruence, and expand balance friendly practices.

Keywords: career identity; protean career attitude; self-directedness; values orientation; work-life balance; subjective career success; career satisfaction; perceived employability; early career employees.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQET.2026.154323

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2026 Vol.11 No.2, pp.225 - 245

Received: 02 Oct 2025
Accepted: 11 Dec 2025
Published online: 22 Jun 2026 *

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Title: How career identity shapes subjective career success: evidence from early career office employees via protean attitudes and work-life balance

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