The Structural Relationship Between Calling, Cross-Cultural Adjustment, Learning Agility and Career Commitment of International Development Professionals

Purpose: This study aims to construct a structural model explaining the career commitment of international development professionals by empirically examining the effects of calling, cross-cultural adjustment, and learning agility. Originality: Jobs in the international development field are often characterized by short-term contracts and entry-level roles. Given the changing employment environment, research on sustainable careers and career commitment in this sector is both timely and necessary. Methodology: A total of 250 professionals with international assignments were surveyed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and moderated mediation analysis (PROCESS Macro Model 7) were conducted. Result: Calling had a significant positive effect on both cross-cultural adjustment and career commitment. Cross-cultural adjustment also positively influenced career commitment and mediated the relationship between calling and career commitment. It was found that learning agility moderate the indirect effect of calling on career commitment through cross-cultural adjustment in the PROCESS Macro analysis. Conclusion and Implication: Calling serves as a key motivational driver for career commitment, and individuals with a strong sense of calling are more likely to adapt to local cultures and remain engaged in their careers. Furthermore, in environments where formal training opportunities are limited, learning agility functions as a critical personal resource for sustaining careers. These findings provide empirical evidence to inform the development of training and career development support that can enhance retention and contribute to the sustainability of the international development ecosystem.