Reframing Careers: ECLD and the Service Turn in Personal Development
Reframing Careers: ECLD and the Service Turn in Personal Development

Author(s): Yuliyan Narlev
Subject(s): Economy, Business Economy / Management, Human Resources in Economy, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Green Transformation
Published by: Икономически университет - Варна
Keywords: Entrepreneurial Career and Life Design (ECLD); service logic; career development; human resource development; intrapreneurship
Summary/Abstract: Background and aim: In the face of accelerating change in work and identity, traditional career development models centered on predefined roles and linear progression are no longer sufficient. This paper aims to introduce Entrepreneurial Career and Life Design (ECLD) as a transformative alternative and explore its advancement through the lens of Service Logic, reframing careers as dynamic, co-created journeys. Scope and limitations: The contribution is conceptual, drawing on a synthesis of literature from entrepreneurship education, life design, and human resource development, without empirical testing. Methods: The paper applies a conceptual methodology, integrating ECLD with Service Logic to build a generative theoretical framework and highlight keytransitions in career development. Results: The analysis identifies three central transitions enabled by this integration: (1) from role fulfillment to personal mission-building, (2) from prescribed upskilling to self-directed development, and (3) from static competencies to adaptive, purpose-driven capacities. Conclusions: ECLD functions not only as a pedagogical method but also as a strategic and ethical response to contemporary challenges, supporting both individual flourishing and organizational innovation in the age of complexity. Originality: By integrating entrepreneurial thinking and service logic, the study contributes a novel, human-cantered lens to human development and HRD theory. Practical implications: The chapter offers guiding principles and reflective tools for applying ECLD in coaching, education, and organizations, advocating for a rehumanization of career development.

• Details
• Contents