Purpose: This study aims to identify and analyze the factors inhibiting the promotion of civil servants at the Department of Education in Mimika Regency, focusing on structural, bureaucratic, and non-technical barriers that affect the fairness and effectiveness of the promotion process.
Research/methodology: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative data (using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and ANOVA) and qualitative insights (from semi-structured interviews, FGDs, and thematic analysis). The study involved 74 civil servants sampled from a population of 91 using Slovin’s formula. Data triangulation was conducted to ensure validity across sources and methods.
Results: The findings revealed that complex bureaucracy, unclear implementation of local promotion policies, and inadequate dissemination are the most prominent structural barriers. Non-technical factors such as favoritism, interpersonal relationships, and internal politics also significantly affect promotion outcomes. Competence alone was not a sufficient condition for promotion, as subjective judgments and limited access to professional development programs also played a decisive role.
Conclusions: The promotion of civil servants in the Mimika Education Office is hindered by bureaucratic complexity, unclear policies, and non-technical factors such as favoritism and internal politics. Competence alone is insufficient, as limited training access and unequal opportunities persist. A transparent, merit-based promotion system is urgently needed to improve fairness, motivation, and organizational performance.
Limitations: The study is limited by its localized focus on a single government office, which may not fully represent other regional or institutional contexts. Additionally, data on budgetary allocations and their actual execution were partly unavailable or lacked transparency, limiting financial analysis depth.
Contribution: This study contributes to public sector HR literature by providing empirical evidence on the intersection of bureaucratic processes, social-cultural dynamics, and career development. The findings support policy recommendations for more transparent, merit-based promotion systems and improved access to competency development, particularly in geographically remote regions like Mimika.