Does empowering leadership enhance perceived employability? A moderated-mediation analysis

Purpose Based on the career construction theory (CCT), this research investigates how empowering leadership (EL) enhances the perceived employability (PE) among knowledge workers. Specifically, we examine the mediating role of career crafting (CC) in the relationship between EL and PE. Design/methodology/approach This study used Smart partial least squares-structural equation modeling and SPSS to empirically assess the proposed relationships. Data were gathered from 311 knowledge workers via a cross-sectional survey using the snowball sampling technique. Findings The findings show that EL is positively associated with the employability perceptions of knowledge workers. Further, CC mediates the relationship between EL and PE. Additionally, negative career shocks (NCS) undermine the direct relationship between CC and PE. Originality/value This research contributes to the leadership and employability literature by identifying CC as a key mechanism explaining the linkage between EL and PE. Further, we extend the applicability of CCT by integrating NCS as a boundary condition that can affect the career construction process.