Abstract:

This developmental paper addresses the under-theorised role of organisations in shaping the career sustainability of highly skilled migrants. Although migrants constitute a growing segment of the European workforce, many remain employed below their qualifications, with negative consequences for engagement, well-being, and talent utilisation. Drawing on sustainable career theory, inclusive leadership research, and organisational culture perspectives, the paper proposes a conceptual framework explaining how inclusive leadership practices and competence-based organisational cultures enable or constrain sustainable career development among highly skilled migrants.

Rather than testing established models, the paper adopts a theory-building approach and advances a set of developmental propositions linking individual psychological resources, leadership behaviours, organisational practices, and career outcomes. Methodologically, the study proposes an exploratory sequential mixed-method design, integrating qualitative interviews, quantitative analysis, and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA).

The paper contributes to management research by connecting inclusive leadership to career sustainability and employee wellbeing, offering a timely perspective on the future of work and organisational responsibility for migrant talent.

Please choose your submission type: Developmental Paper

Primary Track: Human Resource Management

Keywords: Diversity and equality;Stress and well-being;Leadership;Talent management

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Prof Sabina Kubiciel - Lodzińska