Title: Management graduates' metaphors for expectations through dream jobs

Authors: Venkatesh Murthy

Addresses: Economics and Public Policy Area, IIM Rohtak, Management City, Suneria, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India

Abstract: The paper explores a set of metaphors and constructs about future corporate jobs as perceived by students of business and management. We asked a group of 250 postgraduate students in a business school two key questions: - 1) "What is your dream job?"; 2) "How do you visualise your career?" In reply, we received detailed narratives from 218 participants. The data was analysed using word cloud and word tree analysis techniques. The findings were broadly organised under two categories, instrumental factors and ideal factors. The findings demonstrate that corporate job aspirants in India visualise their jobs as fulfilling not only their career aspirations but also the ambitions of their family life as a whole. Moreover, voices advocating for increased freedom at work and corporate social care were loud and clear. The study contributes to the psychological contract of work.

Keywords: expectations; corporate jobs; psychological contract; instrumental factors; ideal factors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2019.103191

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2019 Vol.12 No.4, pp.433 - 447

Received: 19 Dec 2018
Accepted: 20 Apr 2019
Published online: 21 Oct 2019 *

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