Looking for Greener Grass: How Prior Status Drives Exploration-Exploitation Decisions in Job Searches

This study examines the motivations behind generalist careers, introducing the concept of "opportunity-enhancing generalism." Workers willingly opt for generalist paths, relinquishing specialization benefits to dissociate from past expertise with perceived poor future prospects. Negative feedback on advancement prospects increases motivation to explore new expertise. Analysis of managerial job searches supports these predictions.