Abstract

<p>This study examined strategies for fostering institutional workplace environments that support the sustainable academic advancement of university lecturers, with a particular focus on business education lecturers. The motivation for the study stemmed from the increasing need to promote the professional development of academic staff in order to enhance job performance and long-term career growth.</p>
<p>A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and the study was conducted in Cross River State, Nigeria. The target population comprised 150 university lecturers from the Faculty of Education at the University of Calabar. Two research questions and corresponding objectives guided the investigation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Fostering Institutional Workplace Environments to Support Sustainable Academic Advancement for University Lecturers (FIWESSAAUL). The reliability of the instrument was confirmed through a pilot test, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.92 and 0.89 for the two clusters, respectively, indicating high internal consistency.</p>
<p>Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, and all statistical computations were carried out with the aid of SPSS software. The findings revealed that professional development opportunities and a supportive organizational culture are critical factors influencing sustainable academic advancement among university lecturers. Specifically, access to continuous training, mentorship programs, and institutional encouragement significantly impacted lecturers’ motivation and career progression. Furthermore, the presence of a positive and inclusive work environment was found to be essential in retaining academic staff and promoting their well-being.</p>
<p>Based on these findings, the study recommends that university administrators implement structured and tiered professional development initiatives that align with lecturers’ career stages. Moreover, policies that encourage work-life balance—such as flexible scheduling, reasonable workload distribution, and access to mental health and wellness resources—should be prioritized. Creating a culture of support within academic institutions is essential not only for the growth of individual lecturers but also for the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of higher education in Nigeria</p>