The Impact of Protean Career on Job Satisfaction and Performance of Lecturers at Private Universities

Purpose – This study investigates the effect of personality, competitiveness, and competence on protean career orientation, job satisfaction, and performance of lecturers at private universities. It aims to validate six hypotheses through a structural model that integrates psychological and institutional career determinants. Methodology – A quantitative explanatory design was applied using structured surveys distributed online and offline to 246 permanent lecturers across Region IX Sulawesi. Measurement instruments were derived from validated theoretical constructs and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4.0. Findings – Results reveal that personality and competitiveness positively influence protean career orientation, while personality and competence significantly enhance job satisfaction. Protean career and job satisfaction also show strong predictive effects on lecturer performance, with all hypotheses statistically supported. Originality – This study offers a novel framework combining psychological traits and institutional factors to explain academic career trajectories, particularly in the underrepresented context of Indonesian private universities. It contributes actionable insights for talent development policy and strategic academic HR management.