Vulnerable Workforce
Investigating Access to Decent Work Among African Career Women Through the Lens of Psychology of Working Theory
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22006362 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Benedict Ogbemudia Imhanrenialena (University of Nigeria), Imhanrenialena Benedict Ogbemudia (0000-0002-7052-2440, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria), Eveth Nkeiruka Nwobodo-Anyadiegwu (0000-0001-8051-9459, University of Johannesburg), Ben Etim Udoh (0000-0002-8437-1129, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria), Etim Udoh Ben (University of Nigeria, corresponding author), Happiness Ozioma Obi-Anike (0000-0002-6301-2186, University of Nigeria), Chikodili Nkiru Okafor (University of Nigeria), Ifeoma Joanes Onodugo (University of Nigeria), Kenneth Egwuatu Ogbonna (0009-0009-3438-5037, University of Nigeria) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | SAGE Open (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/21582440251407510 |
| OpenAlex | W7148665404 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 43 |
This study used the Psychology of Working Theory (PWT) as a social justice lens to examine how the contextual factor of patriarchal marginalization influences career adaptability, work volition, access to decent work, and the mediating role of career adaptability in the influence patriarchal marginalization has on access to decent work among Nigerian women. The study also assessed how career adaptability and work volition predict access to decent work among Nigerian career women in line with PWT. The quantitative data were collected from 488 Nigerian career women using a structured questionnaire. The study relied on an exclusively Nigerian sample, self-reported data, and a cross-sectional design; the resultant limitations are acknowledged. The profile of the respondents was analyzed with descriptive analysis, while the hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings revealed a mixed alignment with the PWT model. Consistent with the PWT, patriarchal marginalization negatively predicted work volition and access to decent work, while career adaptability positively predicted access to decent work. However, contrary to the model’s expectations, patriarchal marginalization did not negatively predict career adaptability, work volition did not positively predict access to decent work, and the mediating role of career adaptability between patriarchal marginalization and access to decent work was not supported. While testing the PWT model among the underexplored female population in the African work context significantly adds to the literature, the findings challenge some of the PWT propositions in the non-Western context, and this opens up new vistas for future research
Adaptability · Industrial and organizational psychology · Population · Career Development and Diversity · Higher Education and Employability · Work-Family Balance Challenges
The Psychology of Working Theory.
The development and initial validation of the Decent Work Scale.
A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling
When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM
Work life balance and women representation in leadership positions in Ugandan public universities
Advancing gender diversity in leadership
Bridging the gender gap
Linking Future Decent Work Perceptions With Employment Anxiety
CB-SEM vs PLS-SEM methods for research in social sciences and technology forecasting
From vocational scholars to social justice advocates
Examining Predictors and Outcomes of Decent Work among Korean Workers
The changing nature of traditional work settings and the emerging virtual work environments in Africa
Patriarchal hegemony
Addressing virtual work challenges through women’s innate compassionate managerial leadership behaviors
Exploring how institutionalized patriarchy relates to career outcomes among African women
Achieving internal legitimacy and job satisfaction in UK and US multinational corporation subsidiaries in Nigeria
An Examination of the Psychology of Working Theory With Employed Asian American Women
The 2012 Leona Tyler Award Address
Institutionalised patriarchy and work-life balance (WLB) challenges for female medical doctors
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |