Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Articles

Testing the “holy grail” of industrial psychology as a non-recursive bow pattern model in higher education using the PLSe2 method

PurposeThe direction of causality between job satisfaction and job performance (known as the holy grail of industrial psychologists) is undetermined and related research findings in different organizational contexts are mixed. Based on the ample literature, mainly from Western countries, on the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance, a non-recursive bow pattern model was utilized to investigate the direct relationship between these two variables in an Asia–Pacific higher education system.Design/methodology/approachThis study is quantitative in approach and survey in design. Additionally, to meet the statistical requirements of non-recursive bow pattern analysis, the authors added welfare as a theory-driven instrumental variable to introduce exogenous variability. Using the efficient partial least squares (PLSe2) estimator, the authors fitted the model to the data collected from 2008 academics affiliated with Malaysian public universities and polytechnics.FindingsThe results showed that while job satisfaction is considerably influenced by welfare, it is not a significant predictor of job performance directly. In addition, a meaningful positive correlation between the disturbance terms of job satisfaction and job performance was observed, suggesting the existence of other factors that could increase both job satisfaction and job performance. The findings' theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and a list of theory-driven evidenced-based policies in this regard is provided.Originality/valueThis is the first study to test a non-recursive bow pattern model and examine the holy grail of industrial psychology based on the PLSe2 methodology, as a parametric approach to partial least squares (PLS), in a higher education context. This study also provides higher education researchers with the advantages of the PLSe2 method, especially in causal-predictive modeling, in the context of applied higher education research.

Reflexive Tourism Supply Chain Management

This article is on the practical framework of reflexive tourism supply chain management as it is proposed for enhancing students' understanding of sustainability. The practical framework consists of three phases through a case study examination of a local community. The three phases are (1) including program design in the upstream tourism industry, (2) travel to a local community in the downstream tourism industry, and (3) reflexive learning of understanding of sustainability. The study contributions propose that a practical framework can enhance students' green consciousness with critical thinking, make sustainability learning more interesting for students, and allow students to gain personal understanding from cognition, experience, and reflexive contexts in Asia-Pacific higher education.

Higher education regionalization in Asia Pacific

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to outline some of the historic ways of reviewing patterns of regional engagement, with special attention to how the emergent concepts of higher education (HE) regionalization stand in relationship to regionalism. Additional implications are spelled out for governance, citizenship and university transformation.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual essay is meant to appear in conjunction with more discrete, case‐oriented examinations of Asia Pacific HE regionalization.FindingsDiscussions of regionalism in Asian HE are being replaced by those focused on regionalization; the former is a nation‐state and geographic policy framework whereas the latter tends to refer to emergent empirical relationships. Regionalization itself can be further distinguished in terms of its “older” forms, focused on geographic proximities and exchanges defined and carried out within those proximities. New regionalization is increasingly linked to global circuits of exchange in which the currencies of such exchanges are closely linked to the emergent dynamics of the knowledge society and economy. These dynamics in turn are closely linked to patterns of migration and mobility in HE and the efforts of higher education institutions (HEIs) and regional governments to develop new governance structure structures appropriate for this style of regionalization. These regional dynamics reflect tensions that draw institutions and nations together (centripetal forces) and those that keep them apart (centrifugal forces). These processes are marked by governance dynamics, those of affinity and affiliation, transnational innovation, and redefinitions of the responsibilities and promises of citizenship.Originality/valueUse of these modal concepts can be used to promote and extend a region‐wide discussion and related research relevant to HE transformation within the region.

Reflections on the Bologna Process: the making of an Asia Pacific Higher Education Area

The Brisbane Communiqué's goals and initiatives seem to follow the Bologna Process' normative path towards the creation of a common regional higher education space. However, comparing demography, socio-economics, student mobility, political economy framework and the initiatives undertaken by both the Brisbane Communiqué and the Bologna Process show both a convergence and a divergence between the two participating regional groups of countries. A number of rationales were pointed out why the Bologna Process cannot simply be emulated within the region but can only serve as an example. This includes the different demographic and socio-economic make-up of the Asia Pacific region, the fact that the region, especially with China and Korea, account for the significant number of outbound student mobility, and the divergence of the two initiatives’ evolutionary paths.

Asia-Pacific Higher Education Institutions Form Alliance on Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research

Asia-Pacific Higher Education Institutions Form Alliance on Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research