Talent Development as a Tool to Achieve Competitive Advantage through Organizational Culture: A Moderation and Mediated Model to Prove the Relation

Abstract

The principal motivation behind this investigation was to examine the strategic impact of talent development in achieving a sustainable competitive advantage for higher educational institutions in Karachi, Pakistan. The study also aimed to assess the mediating influence of interpersonal and organizational constraints, along with organizational culture as a key moderating variable, in the relationship between talent development and institutional competitiveness. Data was collected through comprehensive surveys from a sample of 300 teaching and non-teaching staff across prestigious private universities in Karachi. Robust analytical techniques, including Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via Smart PLS, were employed to validate the research framework and test the hypotheses.

The findings revealed that competitive advantage was strongly linked to talent development initiatives and further amplified by a positive organizational culture. Additionally, the study identified intrapersonal drivers (such as motivation, skill enhancement) and external organizational factors (including leadership support, resource allocation) as critical mediators, reinforcing the connection between talent development and institutional success. These insights emphasize the need for targeted HR policies, continuous professional development, and a collaborative work environment to enhance competitiveness in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

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