Effect of Strategic Human Resource Management Practices on Human Capital Flight in Selected Hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Human capital flight in Nigeria's healthcare sector poses a significant threat to service delivery and patient outcomes, particularly in hospitals within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Despite their importance, these hospitals face issues such as low employee engagement, poor retention, and declining job satisfaction. Strategic Human Resource Management Practices (SHRMP) are seen as potential solutions to these challenges. However, there is limited empirical evidence on which specific SHRMP can effectively reduce human capital flight in Nigerian healthcare settings. This study examined the impact of SHRMP on human capital flight in selected hospitals in FCT, Abuja. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 361 healthcare workers, selected from a population of 5,836, through proportionate stratified random sampling. A validated questionnaire achieved a 95% response rate, with Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients ranging from 0.727 to 0.870. Descriptive and inferential statistics showed that SHRMP components significantly influence human capital flight (Adj. R² = 0.039, F(6, 342) = 3.328, p < 0.05). The study concluded that SHRMP practices significantly affect human capital flight in hospitals within Abuja. The study recommends adopting targeted training, work-life balance initiatives, employee recognition programs, and proactive engagement strategies to reduce human capital flight and improve service delivery in Nigerian hospitals.