Exploring human nature as reflected in evolving personal identity of employees in context of career progression

Abstract

quot newlineBackground: Human Nature has captured the attention of worldwide scholars from ancient philosophers to modern researchers. The subject has been explored and discussed from multiple disciplines in multiple ways. Some recent efforts focus on exploring human nature from the interdisciplinary point of view to understand holistic aspects. This research is one such attempt to explore human nature dimensions reflected in the evolving personal identity of the employees in the context of career progression connecting human nature with human resource management. newline newlineAim: The purpose of the research is to understand how the personal identity of the employees evolves as career progress and factors influencing to it. Moreover, it also explores the human nature dimensions reflected in the phenomenon. newline newlineMethodology: The research adopts grounded theory method of qualitative research tradition and attempts to provide a substantive theory/ framework explaining evolving personal identity in the context of career progression emerging from the data. Moreover, human nature dimensions are explored by juxtaposing existing theories/ framework from the literature with the emerging results. newline newlineResults and Discussion: The research proposes a framework reflecting evolving personal identity as career progresses in the form of Responsible I , Resourceful I and Respectable I . Personal Identity strengthens as the career progresses. Human needs being a powerful explanation of human nature and behaviour, the notions of personal identity are explored juxtaposing existing human nature theories and acquired need theory. Additional to these needs, an element of need for respect emerges from the data in the Indian context. newline newlineConclusions: The research is first of its kind and contributes to existing literature on human nature and human resource management. It proposes a framework derived from the data, and in future research, the same can be validated by its application to the diverse population to expand its generalization capabilities.