Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Identifying Individual Factors Affecting the Career Success of Female Employees at Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M. Nasrollahi 1
F. Abdollahzadeh Karati 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Management, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
2 M.Sc. in Industrial Management, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
10.22034/tdas.2025.245582
Abstract
Career success is a multidimensional construct shaped by individual, organizational and environmental factors. With the growing number of female university graduates entering the workforce, understanding what supports women's career success has become increasingly important. This study aimed to identify the individual factors associated with the career success of female staff at Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Iran. In this applied, descriptive–correlational study, all 100 female staff members were invited to participate (census sampling), and 74 returned completed questionnaires (response rate: 74%). Data were collected with a 146-item questionnaire assessing personality traits, self-esteem, career and public service motivation, gender-role orientation, work–family conflict and demographic characteristics. The measurement and structural models were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). All factor loadings exceeded 0.50, and convergent validity, discriminant validity, composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha were within acceptable ranges. Career motivation (β = 0.339, p < 0.001), public service motivation (β = 0.292, p < 0.001), agreeableness (β = 0.260, p = 0.005), conscientiousness (β = 0.215, p < 0.001), age (β = 0.184, p < 0.001) and number of children (β = 0.163, p < 0.001) were positively associated with career success, whereas work–family conflict was negatively associated with it (β = −0.148, p = 0.007). Self-esteem, openness, extraversion, neuroticism, masculine gender-role orientation, marital status, education and work experience were not significant predictors. Together, the predictors explained 62.2% of the variance in career success (R² = 0.622). The findings suggest that personality and motivational characteristics play an important role in the career success of female university staff. University administrators and higher education planners may use these results to design human resource development programs that strengthen employees' career and public service motivation and help them balance work and family demands. Because the study was cross-sectional and conducted in a single university, further research in other institutions and with longitudinal designs is recommended.
Keywords
Career Success
Female Employees
Personality Traits
Career Motivation
Public Service Motivation
PLS-SEM
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Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science
Volume 7, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 70-86

  • Receive Date 10 December 2024
  • Revise Date 14 February 2025
  • Accept Date 05 April 2025