Original Research

Exploring millennial loyalty through job embeddedness and satisfaction in regional banks

Erick Elthoriq, Isnurhadi Isnurhadi, Zunaidah Zunaidah
SA Journal of Human Resource Management | Vol 24 | a3176 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v24i0.3176 | © 2026 Erick Elthoriq, Isnurhadi Isnurhadi, Zunaidah Zunaidah | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 June 2025 | Published: 14 January 2026

About the author(s)

Erick Elthoriq, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Sriwijaya University, Palembang, Indonesia
Isnurhadi Isnurhadi, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Sriwijaya University, Palembang, Indonesia
Zunaidah Zunaidah, Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Sriwijaya University, Palembang, Indonesia

Abstract

Orientation: Turnover intention (TI) remains a critical challenge in supporting organisational goals, especially in the banking sector. This study focuses on millennial employees, who are often more prone to job mobility.
Research purpose: This research investigates the effect of job embeddedness (JE) on TI, with job satisfaction (JS) as a mediating variable, among millennial employees in Regional Development Banks across Sumatra, Indonesia.
Motivation for the study: Millennials represent a growing workforce segment whose career preferences influence organisational stability. Exploring the role of JS provides a deeper understanding of how JE indirectly reduces TI.
Research approach/design and method: A quantitative approach was employed with data collected from 348 millennial employees in regional banks across Sumatra. Descriptive and inductive statistics were applied, and structural relationships were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Squares.
Main findings: Results show that (1) JE negatively influences TI, (2) JE positively influences JS and (3) JS mediates the link between JE and TI.
Practical/managerial implications: Enhancing JE and increasing JS can effectively reduce TI and strengthen millennial employee loyalty in the banking sector.
Contribution/value-add: This study extends the literature on employee retention by providing empirical evidence from the Indonesian banking sector and highlighting JS as a key mediator influencing millennials’ TIs.


Keywords

job embeddedness; job satisfaction; turnover intention; millennials; banking sector

JEL Codes

L60: General

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Metrics

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