The impact of entrepreneurial orientation on the career anchors, the role of perceived organizational support in this correlation

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (entrepreneurship activities in organizations ) on career anchors (career orientations) and the mediating role of perceived organizational support in this correlation. The field research supporting this study was carried out in foundation universities in Istanbul. In this context, opinions and attitudes of white collar employees who do not have academic duties were taken as a base. The sample size was determined within the 95% confidence interval and answers from 406 employees were included. Research findings suggest that, one dimension of entrepreneurship orientation, with the most significant relationship with the dimensions of career orientation is proactiveness, and this relationship is mostly achieved through organizational support. The impact of aggressive competition, innovation and risk-taking on career anchors has only been directly realized. The partial impact of the autonomy dimension on career anchors has been observed to be provided by both direct and organizational support. Finally, it has been established that the regulatory impact of organizational support in aggressive competition and proactiveness dimensions is significant. The contribution of this study to the literature is to expose the relationship between entrepreneurship orientation and career anchor concept, to explain the role of perceived organizational support—known to have effects on many elements within the organization—in this correlation, and filling a gap in the literature. Key Words: Entrepreneurial Orientation, Career Anchors, Perceived Organizational Support.