ABSTRACT
Drawing upon the career construction theory and the trait activation theory, the present study first aims to uncover the interactive effect of core self-evaluation (CSE) and ethical leadership on career adaptability. In addition, the authors examined how career adaptability mediates the interaction effect of CSE and ethical leadership on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Two-wave data from 156 employees were collected in a manufacturing company over a one-month interval. Results showed that ethical leadership moderated the relationship between CSE and career adaptability. Specifically, the positive relationship between CSE and career adaptability was stronger when ethical leadership was low. Moreover, career adaptability mediated the relationship between CSE and OCB, and ethical leadership moderated this indirect relationship. We discuss implications for career adaptation and organizational effectiveness.
