PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

This study examines the key elements that impact the career paths of academic staff in Saudi Arabia, with the goal of understanding the methods by which strategic empowerment can be achieved within the academic sector. The research utilizes the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to examine the connections between important factors that influence the advancement of an academic career. An intentional sample consisting of 30 academic staff members, each with more than ten years of experience at Saudi universities, offers valuable insights into the complex nature of career growth within the Saudi Arabian academic environment. The study outlines five key characteristics that are crucial for the strategic empowerment of academic employees: career goal progress, professional competence development, promotion speed, pay increase, and mentorship. The research analyses these factors thoroughly to reveal the important effects and complex dynamics that affect academic career paths. Significantly, elements such as the improvement of professional skills and the rate of promotion are identified as key determinants, emphasizing the significance of enhancing abilities and advancing careers within the academic environment in Saudi Arabia. The results of our research provide significant knowledge for academics, policymakers, and professionals, giving a thorough grasp of the elements that influence strategic empowerment in the academic sector in Saudi Arabia.

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