Predictors of academics' career advancement at Malaysian private universities

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the influence of individual and organizational variables on the career advancement of academics in Malaysian private universities.Design/methodology/approachA correlation study was conducted in six private universities. Data were collected using a structured self‐administered questionnaire. The dependent variable was academics' career advancement and the independent variables were individual and organizational factors. Using stratified random sampling, 105 full‐time academics were chosen as the study respondents. They represented sampling criteria such as pure science and social science disciplines, job positions and academic qualifications.FindingsRegression analysis showed that organizational variables, specifically mentoring, social network and organizational support, were the significant contributors to the career advancement of the academics with 56.1 per cent explanatory power. These results are useful to human resource development (HRD) personnel of the universities as guides for them to plan and implement HRD initiatives.Practical implicationsThis study contributes knowledge to career advancement among academics in private universities. These institutions are rapidly expanding in Malaysia to cater to the needs of achieving the entrance of 40 per cent of the population into tertiary education by the year 2020. At the tertiary education level, HRD is important specifically to create better awareness among academics about their career planning and aspirations, the role organizational‐related factors have in their careers and how they should respond to the services given by the institutions.Originality/valueThe paper examines factors (limited to individual and organizational factors) that are of concern to HRD managers in managing the career advancement of academics in rapidly developing private universities.