IMPACT OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ON EMPLOYEE JOB SATISFACTION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF WORKPLACE INCLUSION

Abstract

Purpose: This research is aimed at exploring how career development programs affect the job satisfaction of employees in the information technology (IT) sector. It also focuses on training, performance appraisal, compensation and succession planning, , and analyses the mediating importance of workplace inclusion in improving the linkage between the practices and job satisfaction.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is grounded in a quantitative methodology and will use primary data, which will consist of 400 IT professionals working in India. The structured google questionnaire was prepared to measure the variables of the career development programs, workplace inclusion and job satisfaction. The data was compared with the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and examined direct effects of career development practices on job satisfaction, and the moderating effect of workplace inclusion.
Findings: As per the findings, the career development programs contribute greatly to influencing job satisfaction of employees. The most powerful aspect was compensation, then training, performance appraisal and succession planning. As further disclosed in this paper, workplace inclusion has also emerged as a significant improver of career development practices and job satisfaction since it provides an inclusive and fair workplace within the organization.
Practical Implications: The study suggests that aligning career development programs with inclusive practices enhances job satisfaction. Fair opportunities, transparency, and equitable compensation build trust and belonging, improving engagement and retention. It also highlights the need for structured evaluation methods to assess and strengthen the effectiveness of career development initiatives.
Originality: The study is valuable to the literature because it incorporates career development programs and inclusion at the workplace to determine job satisfaction among Indian IT professionals. It confirms the significance of such an inclusive HR activity to increase the level of employee satisfaction and sustainable management of workforce.