Exploring autonomy as a boundary condition in the job crafting – career well-being relationship

Abstract

Orientation: Job crafting has emerged as an important mechanism through which employees proactively shape their work experiences, yet its implications for career well-being remain underexplored in the South African context.
Research purpose: This study investigated whether autonomy moderates the relationship between job crafting (task, cognitive, and relational crafting) and career well-being among South African employees.
Motivation for the study: Although job crafting is associated with positive work-related outcomes, limited empirical attention has been given to its role in promoting career well-being and to the contextual conditions, such as autonomy, that may strengthen this relationship.
Research approach/design and method: A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed. Survey data were collected from 208 employees across various industries in South Africa and analysed using correlation analysis and hierarchical regression.
Main findings: Task, cognitive, and relational job crafting were all positively related to career well-being, and autonomy demonstrated a strong direct association with career well-being. However, autonomy did not moderate the relationship between job crafting and career well-being.
Practical/managerial implications: The findings suggest that encouraging job crafting behaviours may enhance employees’ career well-being regardless of autonomy levels, highlighting the value of organisational interventions that support proactive role redesign and career development.
Contribution/value-add: This study extends job crafting literature by clarifying its relationship with career well-being in a South African context and contributes to theory by demonstrating that autonomy functions as a direct resource rather than a boundary condition in this relationship.