Curiosity as a driver of employability: The mediating role of job crafting in global careers
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
This study examines curiosity as a motivational driver of employability and job crafting as the behavioral mechanism linking curiosity to employability in global careers. Using a three-wave survey of 422 self-initiated expatriates working across more than 100 countries, we distinguish between embracing and stretching curiosity, strengths-and development-oriented job crafting, and internal and external employability. Stretching curiosity indirectly predicted both forms of employability through job crafting, particularly developmental crafting, whereas indirect effects for embracing curiosity were not supported. These findings clarify how employability is actively developed in uncertain global careers.
Keywords
curiosity, employability, job crafting, global careers, expatriates, career development
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
E-ISSN
21516561
ISSN
00650668
Volume
2026
Issue
1
Publication Title
Academy of Management Proceedings
Publisher
Academy of Management
School
School of Business and Law
Copyright
subscription content
Recommended Citation
Zhang, F., Langmann, S., Song, S., Bezemer, P. J., & van der Laan, L. (2026). Curiosity as a driver of employability: The mediating role of job crafting in global careers. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2026(1). Academy of Management. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMPROC.2026.144bp