Career Growth: A Review of Literature and Implications for the Civil Service in a Developing Country

Abstract

The need for the Civil Service to deploy Career Growth practices in order to increase workers performance and hone positive behaviour and attitudes has become urgent. Moreover, there are several documented studies across various cultures and countries on the organisational and individual benefits of career growth. Curiously, literature on career growth practices in the civil service of developing countries is under-researched. Considering this gap, this study conducted a literature review on career growth and highlighted its implications on the Civil Service in Nigeria. Based on the review, the study anchored the performance implications of career growth using career goal progress, professional ability development, and organisational rewards growth as foci. The study recommended that: opportunity for employees to attain or achieve their career goals and objectives should be provided; employees should be encouraged to participate in developmental programs and perform developmental tasks; workers should get coaching on how to define and achieve career objectives; more opportunity should be given to workers to learn new skills; salaries should be paid regularly; and government should reintroduce incentive programs, transportation allowances, meal subsidies, utility allowances, leave grants, and entertainment allowances.