How knowledge sharing affects career adaptability: roles of knowledge depth, self-efficacy and reflective thinking

Purpose Drawing on the social cognitive model of career self-management (CSM model) and deep learning theory, the authors' study aims to investigate the effect of knowledge sharing on career adaptability and explore how and when this effect occurs. The authors proposed a moderated sequential-mediation model linking knowledge sharing, knowledge depth, self-efficacy and career adaptability, moderated by reflective thinking. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a field survey involving 611 employees working in different enterprises in China to test the authors' predictions. For supplementary validation, the authors conducted a scenario-based experiment with a distinct sample of 148 employees from Chinese enterprises. The authors used hierarchical regression analysis, ANOVA analysis and moderated sequential-mediation analysis to test the hypotheses. Findings The results indicated a positive effect of knowledge sharing on career adaptability, sequentially mediated through knowledge depth and self-efficacy. Additionally, reflective thinking strengthened the positive effect of knowledge sharing on knowledge depth and further moderated the sequential mediating effect. Originality/value Previous research has predominantly focused on the perspective that individuals act as “recipients” from the environment in developing career adaptability. Instead, the authors adopt a “giving” perspective by investigating the influence of knowledge sharing on career adaptability, which advances the existing knowledge on the predictors of career adaptability.