Factors driving retention of the employees with higher education in Ho Chi Minh City’s public sector: The role of attraction

Abstract

The paper defines and measures key factors regarding to postgraduate qualified employee attraction and retention working in the public sector in Ho Chi Minh city. This study has used qualitative and quantitative researches. Qualitative research was carried out two times: (i) authors carried out through deep interview with 20 experts (7 scientists and 12 person are district presidents or managers of Department Branches in the area of Ho Chi Minh city); (ii) and authors carried out through focus group discussions with 15 paticipants. Quantitative research conducted through direct interviews with 413 respondents who are cadres and civil servants with postgraduate qualifications working in the public sector in Ho Chi Minh City. The results show that: (i) employee retention is affected by Attraction, working environment, salary, welfare, training and career development, Traditional Family Values; (ii) Attraction is affected by working environment, salary, welfare, training and career development, Traditional Family Values. However, the research study has certain limitations: (i) due to limited resources in conducting research, the sample size consisted of 413 respondents; (ii) This study conducted employees working in the public sector (wards, districts, and departments in the public sector) in Ho Chi Minh City.