The Mediating Effect of Job Expectations on Selected Human Resource Management Practices and Career Satisfaction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.06.10.07Keywords:
Generation Z, Human Resource Management Practices, Job Expectation, Career Satisfaction, Mediating EffectAbstract
As companies face changes from globalization, new technologies, and a younger workforce, Human Resource Management (HRM) has become more important in keeping employees satisfied and motivated. This study looked into how HRM practices and job expectations affect the career satisfaction of Generation Z alumni. The researchers used a descriptive quantitative method with 91 participants. The data were analyzed using frequency counts, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation. The results showed that HRM practices have a strong and direct effect on career satisfaction. While job expectations also had a positive connection with satisfaction, they did not serve as a link between HRM practices and satisfaction. This means that HR practices alone can already help increase how satisfied employees feel in their careers. Based on the findings, organizations can focus on improving HR practices such as fair salary, open communication, giving feedback, and providing training or growth opportunities. These can make employees feel valued and more engaged at work. The study also suggests that HR planning should support not just work performance but also overall employee well-being.
Downloads
References
Aggarwal, A., Sadhna, P., Gupta, S., Mittal, A., & Rastogi, S. (2020). Gen Z entering the workforce: Restructuring HR policies and practices for fostering the task perfor-mance and organizational commitment. Journal of Public Affairs, 22(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2535
Ahmed, R., Lim, Y., & Santos, M. (2023). Under-standing Employee Career Satisfaction through HR Interventions. International Journal of Human Capital and Infor-mation Technology Professionals, 14(2), 45–61.
Akkermans, J., Seibert, S. E., & Mol, S. T. (2018). Tales of the unexpected: Integrat-ing career shocks in the contemporary careers literature. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 44. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v44i0.1503
Ana, I., Ilie, C., & Albu, N. (2019). The impact of HRM practices on diversity management: An empirical study on Romanian compa-nies. Journal of Business Ethics, 182(2), 383-401. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41291-022-00208-z
Andersen, M. (2019). The impact of personal-ized learning on employee engagement and performance. Human Resource De-velopment International, 22(2), 133-147. https://www.neliti.com/publications/239845/impact-of-employee-engagement-on-performance
Barhate, P., & Dirani, S. (2021). Career aspira-tions of Gen Z: An empirical study on the factors influencing career choices among Generation Z in India. Journal of Educa-tion and Social Policy, 25(3), 317-341. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349895506_Career_aspirations_of_gene-ration_Z_a_systematic_literature_review
Batugal, P. J. (2019). The Impact of Job Satis-faction on Employee Loyalty and Positive Communication: A Study of Gen Z Em-ployees in the Philippines. International Journal of Management Education, 17(3), 100333. https://jurnal.integrasisainsmedia.co.id/index.php/JIMS/article/view/21
Bhave, D. P., Teo, L. H., & Dalal, R. S. (2020). Privacy at work: A review and a research agenda for a contested terrain. Journal of Management, 46(1), 127–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206319878254
Bolden-Barret, V. (2019). Study: 48% of work-ers have left a job because it didn't meet expectations. HR Drive https://www.hrdive.com/news/study-48-of-workers-have-left-a-job-because-it-didnt-meet-expectations/551179/
Bonifacio, R. (2024). The role of Human Re-source Management in Modern Organiza-tions. Retrieved from https://www.shiftbase.com/glossary/human-resource-manage-ment#:~:text=This%20includes%20develop-ing%20and%20implementing,conducting%20investigations%2C%20and%20resolving%20conflicts.
Borst, T., Van de Voorde, K., & van Veldhoven, M. (2020). The impact of perceived par-ticipation, recognition, and psychological safety on Gen Z employees' career satis-faction. Human Resource Management, 59(6), 977-993. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/beer.12273
Breevaart, K., & Bakker, A. B. (2018). Daily job demands and employee work engage-ment: The role of daily transformational leadership behavior. Journal of Occupa-tional Health Psychology, 23(3), 338–349. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000082
Cakir, F. S., & Adiguzel, Z. (2020). Analysis of career satisfaction and organizational commitment: A study on employees in tourism industry. Business & Manage-ment Studies: An International Journal, 8(1), 167–184. https://doi.org/10.15295/bmij.v8i1.1331
Cemalcilar, Z., Secinti, E., & Sumer, N. (2018). Intergenerational Transmission of Work Values: A Meta-Analytic Review. Journal of youth and adolescence, 47(8), 1559–1579. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0858-x
Channell, M. (2021, September 30). Vroom’s Expectancy Theory: How to Motivate Staff and Increase Performance. TSW Training. https://www.tsw.co.uk/blog/leadership-and-management/vrooms-expectancy-theory/
Chen, W. (2024). Job Expectations as a Media-tor in HRM and Career Outcomes. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 19(1), 77–90.
Chen, Y.-C., et al. (2023). Job expectations as a mediator in the relationship between human resource management practices and career satisfaction. Journal of Organ-izational Behavior, 44(1), 45-62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34512206/
Chillakuri, B., & Mahanandia, R. (2018). Gen-eration Z entering the workforce: the need for sustainable strategies in maxim-izing their talent. Human Resource Man-agement International Digest, 26(4), 34–38. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid-01-2018-0006
CIPD. (2024, February 16). CIPD | psychologi-cal contract. CIPD. https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/factsheets/psychological-factsheet/
Csiszárik-Kocsír, K., & Garia-Fodor, A. (2018). Learning and development preferences of generation Z employees. Management International Review, 28(1), 147-162.
De Boer, P., & Bordoloi, P. (2022). Nationality differences in Gen Z work values: an ex-ploratory study. Journal of International Education in Business, 15(2), 373-392. 10.1108/JIEB-09-2021-0088
Debczak, M. (2024). Revised Guidelines Rede-fine Birth Years and Classifications for Gen X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Mental Floss. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/609811/age-ranges-millennials-and-generation-z
Deloitte. (2019). Gen Z: Shaping the future of work. https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/work/content/genzmillennialsurvey.html
Deloitte. (2022). Gen Z: The next generation of workers. Retrieved from https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/issues/work/content/genzmillennialsurvey.html
Deloitte. (2022). Understanding Generation Z in the Workplace. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/blog/real-estate/2022/forget-the-pandemic-its-the-gen-z-that-will-transform-london-offices.html Difference between social exchange theory and norms of reciproci-ty. https://www.researchgate.net/post/Differ-ence_between_social_exchange_theory_and_norms_of_reciprocity
Dineen, B. R., Ash, S. R., & Noe, R. A. (2023). Realistic job previews and their impact on applicant attraction and retention: A review and future directions. Journal of Management, 49(1), 133–157. https://doi.org/10.1177/01492063221098240
Elrehail, M., Alnuaimi, A., & Al-Hamad, A. (2019). The relationship between HRM practices and organizational commit-ment: The mediating role of job satisfac-tion in emerging economies. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 9(1), 76-91. Employee Expectations: What They Mean for the Workforce. QuestionPro Retrieved from https://www.questionpro.com/blog/employee-expectations/
Folsom, M. (2020, October 2). The rise of re-mote work: How technology is changing the way we work. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2017/02/16/how-remote-work-is-changing-and-what-it-means-for-your-future/
Forbes. (2022). How to attract and retain Gen Z talent. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/falonfatemi/2018/03/31/whats-your-strategy-for-attracting-generation-z/
Forbes. (2022). Top 3 Reasons Why Gen Z Em-ployees Are Quitting Their Jobs. Forbes. Retrieved from https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gen-z-job-satisfaction-key-200246160.html
Fredman, J. (2023). How fast does Gen Z ex-pect to be promoted? - RippleMatch.
Freedman, M. (2023). What Does Gen Z Expect in the Workplace? Business News Daily. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/11331-gen-z-expects-fast-track-to-success.html
Gallup. (2019). 2019 Workplace Insights: Global Report. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/273089/gallup-top-world-findings-2019.aspx
Gartner. (2021). Gartner HR Research Shows Organizations Are Eroding Employee Performance and Well-being with Virtu-alized Office-Centric Design. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-05-03-gartner-hr-research-shows-organizations-are-eroding-employee-performance-and-well-being-with-virtualized-office-centric-design
Gogoi, S. M. (2023). 12 Key Expectations of Gen Z Employees That Must be Ad-dressed. Vantage Circle Blog. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://blog.vantagecircle.com/expectations-gen-z-employees/
Greenhaus, Jeffrey & Kossek, Ellen. (2014). The Contemporary Career: A Work–Home Perspective. Annual Review of Or-ganizational Psychology and Organiza-tional Behavior. 1. 361-388. 10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091324.
Groh, K. (2025, April 7). Job rotation. Valamis. https://www.valamis.com/hub/job-rotation
Grow, J., & Yang, J. (2018). 5 ways to recruit and retain Gen Z talent. Indeed. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/gen-z-millennial-workforce HarvardKey - Harvard Univer-sity Authentication Service. (n.d.). https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/valerie_sutton/person-environment-fit
Gupta, R. & Shaw, J.D. (2023). The Impact of HRM Practices on Career Growth and Employee Retention. Journal of Applied Psychology, 108(4), 625–640.
Hayes, J. (2023). Simple random Sampling: 6 Basic steps with examples. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/simple-random-sample.asp
Heathfield, S. M. (2021). What is Human Re-source Management? The Balance. https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-human-resource-management-1918143
Hewett, K., van de Voorde, K., & de Cieri, H. (2019). The Power of Perception and Reciprocity: HR attribution theory and employee career satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 72(3), 855-881. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1748 8583.12062
Holt, N. (2024, April 30). I do not: Gen Z, Mil-lennials shifting expectations about mar-riage in 2023. Thriving Center of Psy-chology. https://thrivingcenterofpsych.com/blog/millennials-gen-z-marriage-expectations statistics/
How Generation Z is Redefining the Role of the HR Leader. (n.d.). Page Executive. https://www.pageexecutive.com/advice/region/global/how-generation-z-redefining-role-hr-leader
Jawaad, M., Amir, A., Bashir, A., & Hasan, T. (2019). Human resource practices and organizational commitment: The mediat-ing role of job satisfaction in emerging economy. Cogent Business & Manage-ment, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2019.1608668
Jayathilake, Hasaranga & Annuar, Nursyami-lah. (2020). Exploring HRM Practices to Retain Generation-Z in Information Technology Sector: A Systematic Litera-ture Review. 10. 79-100.
Jena, L., & Nayak, U. (2023). Organizational career development and retention of mil-lennial employees: role of job satisfac-tion, organizational engagement and em-ployee empowerment. International Journal of Organization Theory and Be-havior, 26(1/2), 115–131. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijotb-08-2022-0159
Judge, T. A., Tansky, J. W., & Cable, D. M. (2018). The job satisfaction-career satis-faction relationship: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 71(4), 825-872. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40171-021-00280-y
Jung, H.-S., & Takeuchi, R. (2018). Develop-mental HR practices and career self man-agement: A review and future research agenda. Human Resource Management Review, 28(1), 90-105. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9109982/
Koteshwar, S. (2022, July 17). My career infini-ty. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-career-infinity-dr-shivananda-koteshwar/
Larson, A., Shrestha, R., & Singh, V. (2020). Technology-based training for remote employees: A review of the literature and implications for practice. International Journal of Training and Development, 24(1), 86-103. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-83867-611 720191003/full/html
Lee, S. & Kim, H. (2021). Linking Job Expecta-tions with Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction. Journal of Career Development, 48(2), 150–165.
Li, X., et al. (2023). The mediating role of job expectations in the relationship between human resource management practices and career satisfaction: A meta-analysis. Human Resource Management Review, 33(1), 100826. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042812046253
Magano, A. M., Zhao, M., & Hackett, E. J. (2020). Understanding the career expec-tations of Generation Z. Journal of Career Development, 47(2), 149-165. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-43616-2_6
Main, P. (2023, July 14). Expectancy theories. Structural Learning. https://www.structural-learning.com/post/expectancy-theories
Maloni, Michael & Hiatt, Mark & Campbell, Stacy. (2019). Understanding the work values of Gen Z business students. The In-ternational Journal of Management Edu-cation. 17. 100320. 10.1016/j.ijme.2019.100320.
Kodithuwakku, Manesha & Jusoh, Mazuki & Chinna, Karuthan. (2018). Impact of Hu-man Resource Practices on Intention to Leave among Generation Z- The Future Workforce. International Journal of Hu-man Resource Studies. 8. 267. 10.5296/ijhrs.v8i4.13845.
Mărginean, I. (2021). Hybrid Work: The Key to Attracting and Retaining Gen Z Talent. https://www.linkedin.com/business/marketing/blog/brand/attracting-and-keeping-talent-as-hybrid-working-becomes-the-norm
McDonough, T., & Oldham, C. (2020, October 19). Why Companies Should Pay for Em-ployees to Further Their Education - SPONSOR CONTENT FROM STRATEGIC EDUCATION. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/sponsored/2020/10/why-companies-should-pay-for-employees-to-further-their-education
McFee, J. (2023). The Dynamic Expectations of Gen Z: Seeking Change and Growth. https://www.henrystewartpublications.com/sites/default/files/JBSv5i3Move%20over %20Millennials%20Generation%20Z%20is%20changing%20the%20consumer%20landscape.pdf
McWilliams, L. (2021, November 4). EY Re-leases Gen Z Survey Revealing Businesses Must Rethink Their “Plan Z.” Www.ey.com. https://www.ey.com/en_us/news/2021/11/ey-releases-gen-z-survey-revealing-businesses-must-rethink-their-plan-z
Mehwish, N., Bashir, S., & Iqbal, S. (2019). The impact of social exchange theory on em-ployee engagement and retention: A case study of Pakistan Telecom Company Lim-ited. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 11(2), 141-155. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353219725_Impact_and_Application_of_ So-cial_Exchange_Theory_in_Employee_Retention
Mendoza, A. L., Reyes, M. C. J., & Cabilao, E. V. (2018). The influence of open communi-cation on employee engagement in the workplace. International Journal of 71 Human Resource Management, 29(1), 212-234. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327311905_The_Effect_of_Communicatio n_and_Employee_Engagement_on_Organizational_Citizenship_Behavior_and_Em ploy-ee_Performance_in_Employees_Pt_Pln_Persero_Distribution_of_Bali
Mendoza, J. L., et al. (2018). The impact of eth-ical HRM practices on career satisfaction in the Philippine hospitality industry. In-ternational Journal of Hospitality Man-agement, 70, 15-23. https://etd.uum.edu.my/10019/
Mindege, S. (2020, January 16). The future of work is remote: 7 trends that will shape the next decade. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/6 world-of-work-trends-that-will-shape-2022/
Mondejar, J. A., & Asio, M. P. (2022). The ef-fects of HRM practices on career satisfac-tion and intent to stay among Gen Z em-ployees in the Philippines. International Journal of Management and Technology, 15(1), 183-197. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329244055_Impact_of_Human_Resource _Practices_on_Intention_to_Leave_among_Generation_Z-_The_Future_Workforce
Ng, E. S., & Hekman, D. R. (2020). Learning from Gen Z: Building a More Inclusive and Sustainable Future of Work. Acade-my of Management Perspectives, 34(1), 3-18. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359378731_Fostering_Work_Meaningfuln ess_for_Sustainable_Human_Resources_A_Study_of_Generation_Z
Ngoc, T. N., Dung, M. V., Rowley, C., & Bach, M. P. (2022). Generation Z job seekers’ ex-pectations and their job pursuit intention: Evidence from transition and emerging economy. International Journal of Engi-neering Business Management, 14. https://doi.org/10.1177/18479790221112548
Noor, A. (2023, September 13). 20+ Gen Z Sta-tistics For Employers in 2023 - Qureos. Qureos Hiring Guide. https://www.qureos.com/hiring-guide/gen-z-statistics
Nguyen, T. & Pham, H. (2022). Strategic Hu-man Resource Practices and Employee Outcomes: A Meta-Analytic Review. Hu-man Resource Development Internation-al, 25(1), 18–35.
Office of Human Resources (DMSPC) Career De-velopment Conversations: A Guide for Managers. (n.d.). https://hr.un.org/sites/hr.un.org/files/Career%20Development%20Conversations%20%20-%20a%20guide%20for%20managers.pdf
Oluoch, T. (2022, August 29). At Work, Gen Z Sets High Expectations and Enforces Them Through Social Media. Paramount Insights. Retrieved December 3, 2023, from https://insights.paramount.com/post/at-work-gen-z-sets-high-expectations-and enforces-them-through-social-media/
Pataki-Bittó, G., & Kapusy, Z. (2021). The influ-ence of work-life balance and corporate social responsibility on job satisfaction: A study of Gen Z employees. Sustainability, 13(12), 6745. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366705455_Work Life_Balance_Job_Satisfaction_and_Performance_Among_Millennial_and_Gen_Z_ Employees_A_Systematic_Review Person-Environment fit theory. (n.d.-b).
Valerie Sutton. Piszczek, M. E., & Berg, M. A. (2020). The future of learning and devel-opment: Trends and implications for or-ganizations. Human Resource Manage-ment Review, 30(1), 100659. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1529100612436661 Pocket HRMS. (2020). What are 360-degree perfor-mance appraisal Methods? Pocket HRMS. https://www.pockethrms.com/blog/360-degree-performance-appraisal/
Parikh, H. (2023, March 21). Council Post: 8 Ways Businesses Can Attract and Retain Gen-Z Talent. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescoun-cil/2023/03/21/8-ways-businesses-can-attract-and-retain-gen-z-talent/
Pohirieth, G. B., (2022). What is the history of Human Resource Management? Retrieve from https://www.appvizer.com/magazine/hr/hrms/history-of-human-resource man-agement 72 73 Qualtrics (2023). Gen Z: The Future of Work. https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/gen-z boomers-work-census-data
Reyes, M. C. J., Mendoza, A. L., & Cabilao, E. V. (2020). The impact of performance feed-back and career development programs on employee satisfaction. Academy of Management Journal, 63(1), 112-134. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365663501_Effect_of_Training_and_Care er_Development_on_Employee_Performance_Moderating_Effect_of_Job_Satisfaction
Rob Press. (2021). Why In-house employee training and development is critical for sustainable business growth. https://www.togetherplatform.com/blog/employee training-and-development-in-house.
Rumage, J., & Urwin, M. (2024). Job Rotation: Pros, Cons and Examples. Built In. https://builtin.com/employee-engagement/job-rotation
Russo, R. (2019). Higher rates of mental health issues in Generation Z: A comparison with previous generations. Journal of Ad-olescent Health, 65(5), 612-618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.06.011
Sakdiyakorn, S., & Power, M. (2021). The im-pact of COVID-19 on the career expecta-tions of Generation Z in Thailand. Inter-national Journal of Educational Manage-ment, 37(6), 1064-1078. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MRR-01-2021 0052/full/html Scholz, C. (2019). “The Generations Z in Europe – an introduc-tion,” in Generations Z in Europe (The Changing Context of Managing People), eds
SHRM. (2022). How Gen Z is changing the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/all-things-work/pages/gen-z-pushes-further into-the-workforce.aspx
Smith, M. (2023, January 18). Gen Z and mil-lennials are leading “the big quit” in 2023—why nearly 70% plan to leave their jobs. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/18/70percent-of-gen-z-and-millennials-are-considering-leaving-their-jobs-soon.html
Snieska, V. A., & Heijden, B. J. V. D. (2020). Generation Z's career expectations and their perceptions of organizational at-tractiveness. Journal of Business Re-search, 117, 449-463. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8997496/
Tan, F. Z., & Olaore, G. O. (2021). Effect of or-ganizational learning and effectiveness on the operations, employees productivi-ty and management performance. Vilakshan – XIMB Journal of Management, 19(2), 110–127. https://doi.org/10.1108/xjm-09-2020-0122
Updyke, M. (2019). Learning at the speed of light: How Adobe is using technology to personalize employee training. Chief Learning Officer. https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2023/08/30/the-clos-role-in-leveraging technology-to-transform-ld/
Waninger, A. C. (2023). The Gen Z perspective. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gen-z-perspective-amy-c-waninger
Watson, W. T. (2021, August 21). 95% of sur-veyed employers in the Philippines will prioritize employee experience for post-pandemic success. https://www.wtwco.com.
Wharton. (2023). How Professional Develop-ment Can Boost Employee Engagement. https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/blog/how-professional-development-boosts employee-engagement/.
Whited, J. (2023). What is Human Resource Management. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-human-resource management
Work-Family Health Network (WFHN). (2020). Free resources for managers and organizations. https://workfamilyhealthnetwork.org/
World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report 2020. https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020/
Yacine, H., & Karjaluoto, M. (2022). Genera-tional differences in career expectations: What Gen Z wants. International Journal of Management Education, 20(2), 100416. https://arxiv.org/abs/2206.11056
Zurich Insurance Group. (2023). The rise of Gen Z and the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.coverager.com/zurich-seguros-unveils-tiktok-strategy-to-engage-gen-z/
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Love Joy A. Mata, Madelaine I. Abueg, Melody O. Alano, Zena Jean A. Delantar, Angelica Louise C. Malabad, Angela May A. Nuevas, Rhea Joyce A. Reyes, Jesselle Maine R. Socao, Eloisa Mae P. Lipio
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access).
