Sustainable Human Resource Management on Professional Identity and Job Performance of University Lecturers by Appointment System in China

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of sustainable human resource management (SHRM) on professional identity and job performance of university lecturers by appointment system in China.   Method: A qualitative study was conducted through interviews with eight respondents from eight public undergraduate universities in China selected by purposive method. Content analysis and NVivo test version were used to analyze and interpret the data.   Result and Conclusion: The findings reveal that Recruitment and retention of professionals, Maintenance of healthy and motivated professionals, and Development of professionals' skills have effects on professional identity and job performance of university lecturers by appointment system in China. Moreover, Development of professionals’ skills is related to Maintenance of healthy and motivated professionals, which is reflected in recruitment and retention of professionals. When recruitment and retention of professionals is higher, it reflects higher professional identity and job performance of lecturers.   Research Implications: SHRM on professional identity and job performance of university lecturers model consists of Recruitment and retention of professionals, Maintenance of healthy and motivated professionals and Development of professional’s skills.   Originality/Value: The study examined three dimensions of sustainable human resource management and concluded that sustainable human resource management (SHRM) not only helps to improve the work performance of university teacher within the appointment system, but also strengthens their professional identity.