Antecedents of early career stage mentoring among Chinese employees

This study examined the mediating influence of protege-initiated mentoring relationships on the relationship between personality and situational chara cteristics and mentoring received. Data were obtained from Hong Kong Chines e graduate employees (N = 184) in their early career stage. Results of the regression analysis showed that protege-initialed mentoring relationships m ediated the relationship between the personality (extraversion) but not the situational (individual development culture and opportunities for interact ions on the job) characteristics and mentoring received. In other words, ex traversion was indirectly related to mentoring received through protege-ini tiated mentoring relationships but individual development culture and oppor tunities for interactions on the job were directly related to mentoring rec eived. Additionally, opportunities for interactions on the job indirectly i nfluenced mentoring received through protege-initiated mentoring relationsh ips. Limitations of the study, implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Lt d.