Reconstruction of the subject-work relationship in the emerging models of career

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the reconstruction of the subject-work relationship found in emerging career models emerging from the confluence of sociological, psychological and managerial traditions. We use the term reconstruction because these models share a commonspirit of the times that became widespread over the past four decades and consists in emphasizing the weakening, precarization, disassemblyand consequent need for transformation of traditional career models, seated on a concept of employment that is a heirloom from the industrialsociety. We introduce and analyze the central assumptions of eight emerging career models and, based on them, investigate how the subject, work and organizations are re-worked in response to the de-institutionalization of work that took place as they were proposed. We conclude by proposing that emerging career models are discursive devices whose criticism may yield valuable information on the ambiguities and contradictions surrounding work today.