Callaghan, D and Collins, H (2023) “If only these conversations had happened in induction.” Influencing employee aspiration with action learning-led inductions in the Big Four. In: Employee Relations , 46 (1). pp. 19-35. (UFHRD, 7-9th June 2023, Dublin).

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Abstract

This paper explores employee experiences of induction in the Big Four accountancy firms to understand how induction influences new recruits' career aspirations.

Design/methodology/approach
Using Bourdieusian sociology, this article adopts an interpretivist multi-method approach through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 28 newly appointed accounting professionals. The study defines newly appointed as those who have experienced induction within the last two years of their employment.

Findings
The study's findings challenge the authenticity of induction from a shared employee consensus. It cites contagious spin, regarding career progression opportunities espoused during induction, at odds with the reality of work, ultimately contributing towards unfulfilled employee aspiration. As current strategies suggest that the intersection between employee aspiration and employer provision in the accountancy profession, is too broad, this study argues for more collaborative inductions. In addition, it proposes that accountancy firms should re-evaluate their current strategies and co-construct more authentic inductions that benefit all stakeholders to develop a stronger psychological contract that positively influences employee aspiration.

Research limitations/implications
The paper posits action-learning as a solution to address employee aspiration in induction campaigns in the accountancy profession.

Practical implications
As aspiration is the genesis of motivation and engagement, this study’s findings suggest that the use of an action-learning ethos in induction activities may provide an opportunity to explore the complexities of employee socialisation and provide a voice to new recruits attempting to influence any tensions or disappointment that may arise, as unmet career aspirations emerge.

Originality/value
The paper posits action learning as a solution to address employee aspiration in induction campaigns in the accountancy profession

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Additional Information:	This author accepted manuscript is deposited under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC) licence. This means that anyone may distribute, adapt, and build upon the work for non-commercial purposes, subject to full attribution. If you wish to use this manuscript for commercial purposes, please contact permissions@emerald.com
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5001 Business H Social Sciences > HG Finance
Divisions:	Business and Management (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Emerald
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	28 Feb 2023 12:16
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2024 15:58
DOI or ID number:	10.1108/ER-03-2023-0120
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/18852

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