Analysing the relationship between supportive work environment and employee retention

Abstract

In the globalisation era, the rapid development of business creates the competitions and opportunities of employee business. The present study seeks to analyse the relationship between individual dimensions of the supportive work environment (peer group interaction, perceived climate, perceived organisational support, supervisory relationship) and employee retention academic staff in Malaysia context. This quantitative study uses a cross-sectional survey in data collection. A total of 225 academic staff from one of the public universities in Malaysia were participated in this study and collected by using hardcopy and an online survey. The structural equation modelling approach through partial least square (SEM-PLS) technique analyses the data and tests the proposed hypotheses in this study. This study indicated that individual dimensions of supportive work environment have a significant positive relationship on employee retention. In conclusion, the employees' positive perception of the work environment can reduce the turnover intention among academic staff in Malaysia context. In line with the present research findings, we suggest that universities need to provide supportive environments that enabled academic staff to remain focused and dedicated to maintaining high morale and reduce academic staff turnover.