Development and validation of a dual-dimensional career success scale for academics in Malaysian private higher education institution

Career success in academia has traditionally been assessed through objective indicators such as salary, promotions, and scholarly output, often neglecting subjective experiences like job satisfaction and work-life balance that are vital to academic fulfillment. Addressing this gap, the present study developed and validated the Dual-Dimensional Career Success Instrument (DDCS) to measure both objective and subjective aspects of career success among academicians in Malaysian Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs). The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, beginning with qualitative interviews involving 14 academicians to guide item generation, followed by a quantitative survey administered to 413 academic staff. Findings revealed that academicians reported higher levels of subjective career success compared to objective measures, underscoring the salience of intrinsic values in academic career evaluation. This study contributes to the theoretical advancement of dual-dimensional career success models by contextualizing them within a non-Western academic environment. Practically, the DDCS provides higher education institutions with a robust, psychometrically sound tool to inform faculty development, career planning, and organizational policy. The instrument holds potential for broader adaptation in other professional sectors where both measurable achievements and personal fulfillment constitute career success.