Technostress and Technophobia: Unmasking the Impact of Coerced AI Adoption in Higher Education Institutions

PurposeThis study is a theoretical debate on corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in the state government higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan with a generally accepted conceptual model. The objective of the study is to measure the mediation effect of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) on the relationship between the structure, managerial strategy, culture, environment and organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe inferential statistic is used in order to achieve the objective of this study. Pearson correlation and multiple regressions are used to analyze the findings. Pearson correlation is used to see any association between the independent variables which are structural factors, managerial factors, cultural factors, and environmental factors and the dependent variable which are organizational performance. The association enables the reader to identify whether there is any relationship between the variables. It showed the strength and direction of the relationship. Meanwhile, a regression test was done to identify the predictive ability of each variable towards the organizational performance construct and mediation.FindingsThis framework of corporate entrepreneurship in the public sector tertiary education sector may have some uncertain assumptions and statements inconsistent with previous research. Nonetheless, the research framework provides a starting point to develop a more applicable corporate entrepreneurship model to higher education management and enhance the quality of public entrepreneurship research.Social implicationsFocusing the effect of mediation between the relationship of four determinant factors, and corporate entrepreneurship on the organizational performance of the schools/faculties of the state government higher education institutions in Pakistan provides some insights for to the schools/faculties' deans into how the integration of some strategies can help in creating the competitive advantage to enhance the overall performance.Originality/valueThe working paper is original in its kind that the framework is presented here is a contribution to the knowledge that fulfill the gap of enhancing performance in the state government higher education institutions in Pakistan by presenting an innovative entrepreneurial mindset.

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate the turnover intentions (TIs) among the academic faculty of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan through their motivation and commitment toward the concerned institution. It inspects the relationship of dimensions of motivation including an absence of motivation (AM), extrinsic motivation (ExM) and intrinsic motivation (InM) with the dimensions of commitment including affective commitment (AC), continuous commitment (CC) and normative commitment (NC) and finally the academic's TIs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used the self-determination theory (SDT), the theory of organizational commitment (OC) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for its proposed model. A sample of 500 academics, working under higher education commission recognized public and private universities in Punjab Pakistan. A structural equation modeling (SEM) conducted for analysis using an algorithm, bootstrapping and blindfolding techniques.FindingsThe outcomes of the research are attention-grabbing, as no direct relationship has been observed between the dimensions of motivation and TIs except InM. The dimensions of commitments are mediating the relationship between motivation and TIs with high significance value. The results reveal a significant adverse effect on TIs through two dimensions of commitment.Research limitations/implicationsAs it is the case of a developing country like Pakistan therefore the finding cannot generalize to developed countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research may lead the policymakers and practitioners of HEIs and controlling body to retain their competent teachers.Social implicationsThis research can help the private sector to develop strategies about the retention of their competent teachers within the institutions that not just value the institution but also will be much beneficial for the students and society.Originality/valueThis paper is identifying how motivation is related to TIs and the role of commitment in it at HEIs. Still, no research has been conducted considering this avenue of SDT, OC and TPB

The purpose of the present study is to examine the link of Abusive Supervision with Organizational Cynicism i.e. Cognitive, Emotional, or Behavioral Cynicism by focusing on the mediating role of Abusive Supervisor’s Knowledge Hiding behavior of Playing Dumb in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan. Data was collected using questionnaire under the survey research design. The participants included 400 faculty and staff members from Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan. Structural Equation Modelling using SmartPLS is used to test the hypothesized relationships of Abusive Supervision and Knowledge Hiding Behavior of Abusive Supervisors with the faculty and staff’s Organizational Cynicism behaviors. The results indicate that Abusive Supervision is significantly and positively related with faculty and staff’s Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Cynicism. This study also indicates that Knowledge Hiding behavior of Playing Dumb fully mediates the relationship between Abusive Supervision and Cognitive Cynicism and partially mediates the relationship between Abusive Supervision and Behavioral Cynicism. However, Playing Dumb as a knowledge Hiding behaviour does not impact the relationship between Abusive Supervision and Emotional Cynicism. This means that Knowledge Hiding by Playing dumb contributes to the adverse effect of Abusive Supervision, leading to increased Cognitive and Behavioral Cynicism. This study contributes to literature on Organizational Cynicism and Abusive Supervision by studying the link between them and effect of Abusive Supervisor’s Knowledge Hiding behavior of Playing Dumb as a mediator. The study also indicates that Abusive Supervision characterized by Knowledge Hiding behavior of Playing Dumb is really a problem in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan. This study holds importance for top management in Higher Education Institutions in to curb the negative effects of Abusive Supervision by developing a policy framework that ensures prevention of Organizational Cynicism in faculty and staff. Moreover, the policy guidelines should ensure that control of essential resources such as Knowledge in the hands of the Abusive leaders should not be misused, causing Organizational Cynicism and eventually leading to problems such as turnover and psychological and behavioral issues among faculty and staff in Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan.

This is a causal and cross-sectional research in the area of education quality in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan. The study explored the dimensions of education quality and examined the effects of education quality and students’ engagement in achieving the desirable learning outcomes in HEIs. A sample of 385 university students responded to a structured questionnaire based on variables of teaching excellence, quality of academic programmes, institutional support facilities, students’ participation, faculty involvement, institutional environment, students’ engagement and the learning outcomes. The hypothesized relationships were examined between education quality and learning outcomes, with students’ engagement affecting as moderator between education quality and learning outcomes. Statistical tests of correlation and regression were used to analyse the data. Results showed that education quality had a significant positive relationship with the learning outcomes. Further, students’ engagement moderated the relationship between education quality and learning outcomes. The study provided useful insights to administrators and regulators to initiate appropriate interventions to enhance education quality and students’ engagement for desirable learning outcomes in HEIs.

The study examined empirically the essential determinants of teachers’ effectiveness in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan. Positivist paradigm had been adopted for the study. The design of the study was causal and cross sectional. The study was based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 155 students studying in HEIs in Rawalpindi and Islamabad region. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses were used to analyse the data. The results of the study indicated that professional competence, subject matter expertise, classroom management, and feedback had positive and statistically significant effect on teachers’ effectiveness. The study provided useful insight with regard to the essential predictors of teachers’ effectiveness in HEIs. The results offered opportunities to the academicians, administrators, and regulators of HEIs to plan and implement appropriate interventions to enhance the teachers’ effectiveness for desirable learning outcomes. The study also extended the existing knowledge of teachers’ effectiveness in institutions of higher education in Pakistan.

The aim of this research is to explain the role of financial literacy (FL), attitude toward sustainable entrepreneurship (ATSE), social norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on green entrepreneurial intentions (GEIs), as well as to investigate the mediating role of green entrepreneurial intentions (GEIs) and the moderating role of green entrepreneurial education (GEE). This study uses the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explain sustainable entrepreneurial behavior (SEB) among students of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan. The dataset consists of 250 business and engineering students of HEIs who have enrolled in at least one course on green entrepreneurship by using a structured questionnaire. PLS-SEM is employed to test the hypothesis, mediation, and moderation among the modeled variables. The results show that ATSE, PBC, and FL significantly promote entrepreneurial intentions while SN have insignificant effect on entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, GEIs significantly mediate between ATSE, PBC, financial literacy, and SEB. The findings further reveal that GEE significantly strengthens the positive relationship between GEIs and SEB. Aligning with the results, it is suggested that HEIs introduce a module to promote GEE and FL across different academic disciplines to foster sustainable entrepreneurial practices to ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

The "pay-as-you-go" system, widely adopted globally, ensures pension payments by using current employees' contributions to fund retirees' pensions within a defined benefit (DB) pension framework. This system faces significant challenges as pension expenditures now surpass annual salary expenditures, driven by lower fertility rates, longer pension cycles, and annual pension increases. Projections indicate that by 2050, countries such as Taiwan, China, the USA, Japan, and Spain will dedicate nearly 50% of their annual budgets to pensions. In Pakistan, pension costs have escalated by nearly 1000% over the past two decades, prompting the Finance Minister to introduce reforms aimed at controlling these rising expenses. The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan are particularly impacted. The research indicates that employees at HEIs prefer the DB Pension System over Defined Contribution or Hybrid Pension Systems. This paper presents existing pension and proposed reforms to sustain the DB pension receipts, specifically for HEIs in Pakistan. Using the snowball technique, open-ended interviews were conducted with core pension team members, and thematic analysis was employed to develop a framework designed to enhance the viability and sustainability of the DB pension system. The study integrates empirical findings with a comprehensive literature survey to propose detailed policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension system for Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan.

This study explores the impact of job insecurity on workplace deviance within higher educational institutions in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the mediating role of knowledge hiding and the moderating effect of moral disengagement. A quantitative research design was employed, involving a survey of faculty members and administrative staff from various higher education institutions in Pakistan. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, capturing perceptions of job insecurity, tendencies towards knowledge hiding, moral disengagement, and deviant behaviors. The sample included 375 respondents, selected through a stratified random sampling technique to ensure diverse representation across different institutional types. Institutions need to implement job security policies as job instability encourages workplace deviance. A policy of job stability and supportive leadership can reduce negative behavior. The study examined higher education institutions in Pakistan as the sample and therefore the findings are not generalizable. Self-reported data may provide bias in answers. Workplace deviance is explainable by effects of job insecurity, but it is in moderation and mediation that we have effective channels to curb its Psychological damage. By tackling these influences in the atmosphere we can cultivate a better academic working environment.

Total Rewards and Retention: Case Study of Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

This study investigates the importance of career guidance in private higher education institutions (PrHEIs) in Pakistan and the UK, focusing on comparative student perceptions. Employing a quantitative research design, the study utilized a self-report survey administered through Google Forms to a sample of 100 students (50 from Pakistan, 50 from the UK) across various disciplines within PrHEIs. The survey assessed student experiences with, and perceptions of, career guidance services, focusing on their impact on academic and professional decision-making. Data analysis, conducted with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between student participation in career guidance programs and their perceived ability to make informed decisions about their academic and professional paths. Notably, variations in perceived effectiveness were observed between the two countries. The findings underscore the critical role of robust career guidance frameworks in empowering students to align their educational choices with their career aspirations, ultimately enhancing their job prospects, fostering professional development, and contributing to the overall success of PrHEIs in preparing graduates for the global workforce Keywords: Career Guidance, Student Development, Decision-making, Private Higher Education Institutions (PrHEIs), Pakistan, UK

This study investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and teacher effectiveness in higher education institutions in Pakistan. Recognizing the increasing significance of emotional intelligence (EI) competencies in educational settings, this research explores how various dimensions of EI—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—contribute to effective teaching practices. A descriptive quantitative design was employed, with data collected from 353 participants, including students and faculty members from Universities of Swat and University of Malakand. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess the emotional intelligence of teachers and to evaluate their effectiveness based on students' perceptions. Mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted using the SPSS software. The results revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.681, p < 0.01) between emotional intelligence and teacher effectiveness. Among the five EI dimensions, motivation emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by empathy, social skills, self-awareness and self-regulation. The regression model explained approximately 52.3% of the variance in the effectiveness of the teachers. These findings highlight the important role of EI in shaping effective teaching behaviors and the need to integrate EI development into teacher training, recruitment, and professional development programs. This study recommends a greater institutional emphasis on emotional competencies to foster student-centered, emotionally supportive learning environments.

Pakistan Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are working in an ever dynamic and complicated environment whereby there has been a rapid change in technology, there has been an augmenting competition globally, and there has been an augmented expectation of socio-economic impact. Even with reforms on the policy level and quality assurance measures, a significant number of universities remain bureaucratic in nature and their structures of governance show centralized and inflexible nature to encourage employee-level innovation. Based on the Social Cognitive Theory, this paper evaluates the impact of organizational agility on the innovative behavior of employees and explores the mediation of creative self-efficacy in the Pakistani higher education industry. The sample size used was 390 academic staff members in the private universities within Lahore and Islamabad, thus a quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used in this study. The hypothesized relationships were tested using Structural Equation Modeling, which was generated using the Partial Least Squares approach (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal a large positive impact of organizational agility on employee innovative behavior, which implies that flexible structures, flexible processes, and responsive decision-making positively influence innovation within academic staff. Moreover, creative self-efficacy moderates this relationship to some extent, which reflects the significance of employee trust in their creative abilities in putting organizational conditions into innovative practices. The study can add to the body of research on organizational agility and innovation by offering empirical data of an emerging country, where in many cases institutions of higher education are limited by structural and cultural barriers. In practice, the conclusions highlight the necessity of a university leadership and policymakers to facilitate agile governance processes and enrich creative self-efficacy by enabling facilitating supportive policies and constant professional development programs to encourage sustainable innovation at higher education institutions in Pakistan.

Aim/purpose – The primary intent of the study is to examine the effects of employee empowerment (EE) and employee training (ET) on perceived organizational perfor- mance (POP) among the academic and administrative staff of public and private sector higher education institutions of Pakistan with mediation of job satisfaction (JS). Specifi- cally, this study aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding the factors affecting POP in higher education institutions in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – 500 Questionnaires were distributed to the academic and administrative staff of 20 higher education institutions (public & private sector) in Faisalabad and Lahore, Pakistan, through a stratified random sampling technique. In this way, 461 out of 500 questionnaires were filled and returned. PLS-SEM was applied to analyze the collected data. Findings – As per the research findings, EE and ET positively affected POP in Paki- stan’s higher education institutions. JS positively mediated the relationship between EE, ET, and POP. Research implications/limitations – This study is of great importance to individuals from varying backgrounds, especially those associated with higher education institu- tions. As a limitation, future studies can also consider longitudinal studies rather than cross-sectional observational studies, different industries rather than higher education institutions, and other relevant variables. Originality/value/contribution – These findings vigorously argue that the determinants of POP, namely EE and ET, further increase JS and the overall performance of higher education institutions. Keywords: employee empowerment, employee training, job satisfaction, perceived organizational performance, higher education institutions. JEL Classification: M10, M12, M19.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the world scenario including business and economies. There are new opportunities and challenges for every country to produce knowledge oriented citizens. Driven by these changes, numerous higher education institutions around the world are integrating and adopting latest ICT tools to deliver quality education. However, the Effectiveness of a new technologies introduced in educational institution depends on acceptance and utilization by academicians in the academic institutions. Thus realizing the importance of ICT availability and adoption in developed countries, this research is aimed to understand and assess the ICT adoption in Pakistan. This study also focuses on fundamental literature to investigate the critical success factors and propose a model for ICT adoption by academicians of higher education institutions in Pakistan. The contribution of this research improves the quality of education system in developing countries by effectively utilizing ICT in higher education institutions.

This study explored the status of library software being used in the libraries of higher education institutions (HEIs) of Pakistan. A quantitative survey method was used. The population of this study was central/main libraries of all HEIs of Pakistan recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). A questionnaire was designed after review of literature to collect data. The questionnaire was sent to all head librarians. The findings reveal that majority of the libraries had started automation. The libraries of public and private sector institutions were not significantly different in automating their routines. The libraries were using a variety of software and Library Information Management System (LIMS), a free software was at the top in terms of number of users. Other popular software were WINISIS, Inmagic, Koha and VIRTUA. There were also examples of adoption of open source software. Majority of the libraries were doing automation in the absence of proper budget for software and allied activities. Similarly, libraries did not have up-gradation and training agreement with the software providers. The participant libraries reported the presence of cataloging, circulation, reports and OPAC modules in their software but most of the libraries did not mention the availability of modules like acquisition, serial and webopac. Software used by the libraries did not have national language support in most of the cases and ability to support regional languages was also negligible.