Integrating HRM and HRD Strategies to Enhance Work Efficiency in Academic Organizations: The Mediating Role of Digital Transformation
Vol. 29 (2026): 2026 3rd International Conference on Global Economics, Education and the Arts (GEEA 2026)
Received: 2026-08-01
Accepted: 2026-08-01
Published: 2026-08-01
Abstract
Digital transformation within the higher education sector is increasingly recognized as a critical driver of institutional competitiveness and operational excellence. However, this complex transition is frequently hindered by the traditional, siloed separation of human resource management (HRM) and human resource development (HRD) functions. To address this critical gap, this study integrates both HRM and HRD into a unified, comprehensive framework to systematically examine their combined effects on digital transformation initiatives and subsequent organizational work efficiency. Utilizing a quantitative research design, empirical survey data were collected from a diverse sample of 314 faculty members and administrative staff at a prominent private university in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was rigorously employed to test a full mediation model. The analytical results demonstrate that both integrated HRM (β = 0.62, p < .001) and integrated HRD (β = 0.28, p < .001) exert a substantial positive influence on the execution of digital transformation. Furthermore, digital transformation acts as a robust mediator, significantly enhancing overall work efficiency (β = 0.69, p < .001). The proposed structural model exhibits strong predictive power, explaining 71% of the variance in digital transformation and 48% of the variance in work efficiency. Additionally, the indirect effects of HRM and HRD on work efficiency were calculated at 0.43 and 0.19, respectively. These compelling findings underscore the absolute necessity for academic organizations to strategically align their foundational HR policies with targeted employee development programs to successfully navigate digital transformation and optimize institutional performance.
Keywords
References
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Copyright and License
Published in2026-08-01 11:44:52
DOI https://doi.org/10.70088/d76n2q09
Creative Commons
Copyright: © 2026 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by GEEA 2026
Journal Information
- Vol. 29 (2026): 2026 3rd International Conference on Global Economics, Education and the Arts (GEEA 2026)
- 2026-08-01
- ISSN: (Print) 3078-770X/ (Online) 3078-7718
- Journal Homepage