Publication Date
2025
Abstract
This study examined the role of contextual performance in minimizing the negative outcomes of career plateauing. Based on the intrapersonal identity network theory (Ramarajan, 2014), career plateauing was conceptualized as an identity threat. A random sample of employees was surveyed to measure their perception of career plateauing and contextual performance. The results indicated that contextual performance was negatively related to career plateauing. Consequently, employees dealt with the identity threat by working on building a positive identity (contextual performance). It was also found that age was positively related to career plateauing. Thus, in personnel evaluations, contextual performance should be equally weighted as task performance to ensure that solid citizens (Ference, Stoner, and Warren, 1977) remain effective plateauees.