Can success lead to happiness? The moderators between career success and happiness

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between career success and happiness using specific moderators during the process. Data was collected onMBA classes in China and 994 employees participated in the study. Regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Results showed two things: first that career success value (internal satisfaction) does in fact moderate the salary-happiness relationship, and second, that career commitment does moderate the career satisfaction-happiness relationship. This paper makes a valuable contribution to both happiness and career success literature by being one of the first to examine the moderating effects of career success value and career commitment and the relationships between these important career concepts. © 2012 Australian Human Resources Institute.