Abstract
Succession planning is a critical organizational strategy to ensure workforce stability and performance, particularly in sectors like healthcare, where skilled employees are essential. Its significance further increases in the context of emerging countries, particularly the nations that are transforming their healthcare such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. This study investigates the association between succession planning practices, employee-valued goals, as well as human resource outcomes in the Saudi Arabian healthcare sector using the Resource-Based View and Goal Congruity Theories. It also examines the mediating role of employee-valued goals in this association.
Researchers used a quantitative research design, using data collected from 317 healthcare workers through a structured survey. Key constructs were analyzed using linear regression and mediation analyses. The PROCESS macro for SPSS was applied to evaluate the direct and indirect effects. Succession planning practices significantly influenced human resource outcomes and employee-valued goals. Employee-valued goals partially mediated the association between succession planning practices and human resource outcomes. These findings highlight the dual pathways through which succession planning impacts organizational performance, both directly and indirectly through goal alignment.The study underscores the significance of aligning succession planning practices with employee goals to optimize engagement, retention, and performance. These insights contribute to workforce development strategies under Vision 2030, offering practical recommendations for fostering a sustainable healthcare workforce while advancing theoretical frameworks in talent management.