Sociological Perspective for Studying Career in Developing Society: Integrative Theoretical Approach

Sociological research in career has been limited in contemporary social science. However sociological career analysis may have crucial importance for understanding social structure and mobility processes in modern society. Critical analysis of the two leading directions in contemporary sociological research in career (“career fields” and “career mobility”) is presented which is followed by elaboration of integrative theoretical approach aiming to increase the "added value" of the concept of career for sociology and especially for social mobility studies in developing countries. This approach combines theoretical focus on dichotomy “meritocracy traditionalism” (typical for “career mobility” studies and highly relevant to research in developing countries) with methodological orientation on studying “career fields” on organizational level. Basing on these theoretical ideas we put forward brief research agenda and formulate hypotheses for future empirical research. © 2013 AESS Publications. All Rights Reserved.