Track: Doctoral Dissertation Competition

Abstract

In the highly competitive environment of private universities, academic staff often experience job insecurity, leading to increased turnover intention and reduced job satisfaction. This study introduces a novel examination of the moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS) in this dynamic. While prior research has explored the direct effects of job insecurity on turnover intention and job satisfaction, the uniqueness of this study lies in its focus on how POS can buffer these negative outcomes specifically within the context of private higher education institutions. Data were collected from 250 academic staff members across various private universities in the LLDikti II region and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results reveal that job insecurity is significantly and positively related to turnover intention, while it is negatively associated with job satisfaction. Crucially, the study finds that perceived organizational support significantly moderates these relationships, mitigating the adverse effects of job insecurity by enhancing job satisfaction and reducing turnover intention. This research highlights the importance of fostering a supportive organizational environment as a strategic initiative to improve faculty retention and satisfaction in private universities. The findings not only contribute to the existing literature by providing fresh insights into the contextual factors affecting academic staff in private higher education but also offer practical implications for university administrators and policymakers seeking to develop targeted interventions that support organizational well-being.