The Effect of HR Practices on Faculty Career Growth: The Mediating Role of Internal Mobility

This study examines the impact of human resource (HR) practices, specifically training and recognition, on faculty career growth in Saudi Arabian universities, with a focus on the mediating role of internal mobility. While previous research has emphasized faculty research productivity, this study shifts the focus to career advancement mechanisms within academic institutions. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the findings reveal that training does not significantly enhance internal mobility or career success, while recognition positively influences career success but negatively affects internal mobility. Surprisingly, internal mobility demonstrates a negative relationship with promotion and salary progression, challenging traditional assumptions about career development. These results underscore the complexity of HR practices in higher education and highlight the need for institutions to reassess their career mobility structures to better support faculty progression. The study provides both theoretical contributions and practical implications for university administrators seeking to optimize HR policies for faculty career development.