Influence of Career Decision Ambiguity Tolerance Preference on Career Adaptability: The Role of Individual and Organizational Career Management.

This study investigates how career decision ambiguity tolerance preference (CDAT-P)—defined as an individual's interest and excitement toward ambiguity in career decision-making—affects career adaptability among Chinese university students. Drawing on career construction theory and cognitive appraisal theory, the research identifies challenge appraisal as a key mediator in this relationship and finds that the interaction between individual career management (self-directed career behaviors) and organizational career management (university-provided career support) strengthens both the direct effect of CDAT-P on challenge appraisal and its indirect effect on career adaptability. Using a three-wave survey of 1,023 students, the study demonstrates that higher levels of both individual and organizational career management amplify the positive impact of CDAT-P on career adaptability via challenge appraisal. These findings highlight the importance of combined personal and institutional career management practices in fostering adaptability in uncertain career contexts.