A Field Study: The Business Of Engaging Higher Education Adjunct Faculty

Tom Henkel,Gordon Haley

doi:10.19030/jabr.v36i2.10341

Abstract

Competition among higher educational institutions has increased especially among public and private institutions; this is exacerbated by demographic changes whereby the number of high school graduates continues to decrease. Additionally, colleges and universities face daunting competition challenges retaining students; therefore, they are reexamining their long-established business models. As a result, to offset costs, higher education institutions continue to increase the hiring of adjunct faculty. Currently, adjunct instructors account for more than half of all faculty appointments and that number is expected to increase. To amplify the situation, college and university accreditation organizations are requiring student retention and faculty work engagement as part of the effectiveness and accreditation process. Customarily, compared to full-time faculty, adjunct faculty are less engaged with their work as effective coaches and mentors for students outside the classroom. Thus, a quantitative study using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale questionnaire sought adjunct faculty feedback in terms of engagement with their work for academic and student success and how the results could be used to increase this engagement.

Highlights

V anDuzer (2016) notes that higher education institutions operate with a businesslike strategy
Leih and Teece (2016) point out that educational institutions have become large organizations that are facing national and international competition. They go on to say that a better management business strategy is essential for these intuitions to operate from a position of strength
A total of 194 university adjunct faculty volunteered to participate in this study employing the use of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale Survey

Summary

Introduction

V anDuzer (2016) notes that higher education institutions operate with a businesslike strategy. Leih and Teece (2016) point out that educational institutions have become large organizations that are facing national and international competition They go on to say that a better management business strategy is essential for these intuitions to operate from a position of strength. Hold that organizations that employ a businesslike strategy can address completion with a sustainability focus on employee engagement. They believe that a fully engaged faculty can give colleges and universities a competitive advantage over their rivals. The goal is to help higher education institutions rethink their business strategies, to better leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of their adjunct faculty. This, in turn, will help them attract new students, retain current students ensure effective delivery of courses and increase graduation rates

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Discussion

Conclusion