Abstract

This study was intended to investigate barriers of career development perceived by organization employees. In addition, it was examined whether barriers were perceived differently based on employees' sex, marital status, and job level. Data were obtained from 138 employees across 15 organizations, 21 subcategories were obtained and then these were categorized into four areas. Results showed that among the 21 subcategories, company policy, interpersonal relations, job characteristics, ability, aptitude and interest, organizational culture, and sex discrimination were perceived to be relatively severe barriers. Among the four areas, employees perceived individual characteristics and company-related areas as more severe barriers. Differences were found between men and women on the subcategories of sex discrimination, background, and company policy and the areas of company-related and society-related. Employees' marital status and job level did not affect their perceptions of barriers to career development. Implications of the results and limitations were discussed.