The Blue Ocean Strategy to Career Management: A Paradigm Shift in the 21st Century

Abstract

The concept of career management has become illusive in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century. Seldom is the traditional strategy (Red Ocean) to career management a match of the emerging internal and external labor market opportunities. Employees have unswervingly aligned themselves with the Red Ocean strategy to career management. This approach leads to a saturated and competitive labour market. A paradigm shift in career management is necessary if employees have to remain relevant in the global labour market. The purpose of this desktop review was to critically analyse the Blue Ocean strategy to career management as compared to the Red Ocean approach. The reviewed literature is discussed in the context of Anticipatory Career Movement, Organisational Career-Management, and Career Self-Management. The paper concludes that a paradigm shift from the Red Ocean to the Blue Ocean strategy to career management is inexorable. The Blue Ocean strategy to career management advocates for uncontested market space. Consequently, having a strategic mind-set to career management is likely to enhance employees’ preparedness to the emerging societal and economic global trends.