International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management
Quarterly Publication

Exploring the pathways to career success: Analyzing the influence of empowering leadership, self-efficacy, and organizational commitment

https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2026.01.04
Volume 11, Issue 1 - Serial Number 41
Winter 2026
Pages 51-64
International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Authors

I. N. Qamari 1
U. Udin 1
I. B. A. G Azmi 2
S. H. Wahyuningsih 1
W. P. Sari 1
M. Musoli 3

1 Department of Management, University of Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2 Department of Syariah and Management, Academy of Islamic Studies, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

3 Department of Management, University of Aisyiyah Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Empowering leadership is essential for employee career success as it encourages skill development and facilitates career advancement. The absence of empowering leadership may significantly hinder employee career success within organizations. Thus, this study investigates the potential mediator roles of organizational commitment, self-efficacy, and competence for performance in the relationship between empowering leadership and career success.
METHODS: By employing a quantitative approach, this study examines the proposed model and hypotheses in the coal mining companies in Indonesia. The data are collected from 123 employees working in the coal mining operations in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, and it is analyzed using SmartPLS 3.3.3 of partial least squares structural equation modeling.
FINDINGS: The results showed that empowering leadership positively and significantly predicts organizational commitment (β = 0.706, t-statistic = 20.182), self-efficacy (β = 0.478, t-statistic = 5.308), performance competence (β = 0.593, t-statistic = 10.561), and career success (β = 0.387, t-statistic = 3.301). However, self-efficacy (β = 0.124, t-statistic = 1.068) and performance competence (β = -0.009, t-statistic = 0.097) have no impact on career success. Organizational commitment (β = 0.253, t-statistic = 4.218) is also discovered to mediate the relationship between empowering leadership and career success.
CONCLUSION: Empowering leadership plays a crucial role in guiding employees toward career success by fostering a strong sense of organizational commitment. This study explores the mediating roles of organizational commitment, self-efficacy, and performance competence, offering insights into how empowering leadership influences career outcomes. The findings advance existing theory by clarifying that while self-efficacy and performance competence are shaped by empowering leadership, they do not directly predict career success. Instead, organizational commitment emerges as the key mediator in this relationship. From a practical perspective, the results highlight the need for organizations to promote empowering leadership by training supervisors to build autonomy and trust. This leadership approach enhances employees’ emotional attachment to the organization, thereby supporting their career development. Aligning career advancement initiatives with empowering practices can enhance employee motivation and long-term success.

Keywords

Career success
Empowering leadership
Organizational commitment
Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling
Performance competence
Self-efficacy
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 19 February 2025
  • Revise Date 13 May 2025
  • Accept Date 02 July 2025

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