Career Orientations and Career Route Preferences in R&D Organisations

A survey of 151 Italian scientists and engineers and case studies of a career development system for technical professionals revealed that career orientation (as measured by Schein's career anchors) is a useful predictor of career route preferences. Studies how non-monetary factors affect the career decisions of R&D professionals working in public R&D organizations. Asks if Schein's theory of career anchors (i.e. a concern or value that an individual is unwilling to give up when given career choices), focusing the study on the technical and scientific staff at ENEA, an Italian pubic research agency working in the field of energy and environmental care. Sets out Schein's theories on career anchors and identifies the career anchors found among the R&D professionals at ENEA . Analyses how this related to their career route preferences. Finds distinct groups among the R&D professionals concerning their career route preference which were related to their career anchors. Concludes that technical professionals cannot be classified as managerial or technical in their career aspirations and that organizations need to recognize these diverse career orientations. Discusses how this can be achieved.