Chinese Higher Education Institutions Research Articles

The interrelationships between emotional intelligence, achievement motivation and students’ employability: exploring the mediating effect of self-efficacy

PurposeThis research examines the mediating effect of self-efficacy among interrelationships of emotional intelligence, achievement motivation and students’ employability in the Chinese higher education institutions. This study was primarily conducted by applying the social cognitive theory to explain the beliefs and abilities of being employed for university students and influenced by their achievement motivation.Design/methodology/approachA survey approach was employed to collect the samples of 585 final-year college students using the convenience sampling method from 5 different Chinese higher education institutions. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used as the data analysis method.FindingsThe result significantly supported the positive effect of emotional intelligence (ß = 0.298, p < 0.001) and achievement motivation (ß = 0.307, p < 0.001) on students’ employability. Furthermore, the results also showed that self-efficacy significantly had a mediating effect between achievement motivation and employability (ß = 0.119, CI95%: 0.062, 0.195) among college students. However, the study confirmed that self-efficacy was not associated with the relationship between emotional intelligence and employability (ß = 0.029, CI95%: −0.003, 0.075).Originality/valueThis research clarifies and highlights that psychological variables have highly correlated with the employability outcomes of university students. The findings also hold significant value and practical implications for the governments, colleges, and students that enhancing employability should be through targeted interventions. This study sets the stage for future research exploring potential mediators of motivation and other essential factors that may influence among the existing relationship.

Research on Financial Management Issues and Countermeasures in Chinese Higher Education Institutions

With the continuous deepening of educational reform and the rapid development of higher education, as an important battlefield for knowledge dissemination, scientific research innovation, and social services, the financial management level of universities directly affects the efficiency of resource allocation, improvement of teaching quality, and sustainable development ability of the school. However, in the context of rapid expansion and diversified development, financial management in universities faces many challenges and problems. If not solved, it will inevitably negatively impact the management of universities and restrict their development. This article aims to deeply analyze the main problems in current financial management in universities and propose corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, to provide reference for improving the efficiency of financial management in universities.

THE IMPACT OF TRAINING ON EMPLOYABILITY AND TURNOVER INTENTION AMONG UNIVERSITY STAFF IN SHANDONG PROVINCE, CHINA

As societal expectations for the quality and service level of higher education continue to rise, universities need to adapt to these changes through training, meet societal demands, and reduce staff turnover intentions. This study aims to investigate the impact of training on the employability and turnover intentions of administrative staff in Chinese higher education institutions. Based on the Social Exchange Theory and Conservation of Resources theory, a comprehensive research model is constructed to analyze the dynamics of relationships within educational settings. Data were collected from 500 faculty members at various universities in Shandong Province, China, using a structured questionnaire, and Structural Equation Modeling was employed to analyse the relationships between variables. The analysis reveals that training significantly enhances staff employability while concurrently diminishing their intentions to leave. Notably, it was found that employability inversely correlates with turnover intentions, highlighting employability's crucial mediating role between training and turnover intentions. The findings advocate for universities to revamp and innovate their training initiatives, ensuring these interventions are precisely tailored to the genuine needs of their academic and administrative staff. By bolstering employability through targeted training programs, universities can mitigate staff turnover intentions, thereby securing a stable teaching cohort and elevating the competitive edge of higher education institutions.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0841/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Examining the link between coach-athlete relationship and athlete burnout among college soccer players: the mediating role of training satisfaction.

Athlete burnout is an adverse factor that usually decreases athletes' sports performance and reduces their passion for athletic career development. The present study examined the association of coach-athlete relationship, training satisfaction, and athlete burnout, and then explored the training satisfaction as a mediating role of the effect of coach-athlete relationship on athlete burnout among college soccer players. Soccer players from seven Chinese higher education institutions were recruited for the study. The participants were selected using stratified random sampling and included 218 participants. The Coach-Athlete Relationship Scale, Training Satisfaction Scale, and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire were used to collect data from the participants. Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, and bootstrap method were conducted to analyze the collected data set. The results showed that (1) there was a significant correlation between coach-athlete relationship, training satisfaction, and athlete burnout. (2) coach-athlete relationship and training satisfaction significantly negatively predicted athlete burnout (β = -0.39, p < 0.001; β = - 0.29, p < 0.001). (3) training satisfaction had a significantly mediating effect on the relationship between coach-athlete relationship and athlete burnout (β = -0.15, p < 0.001, ES = 0.28). Coach-athlete relationship can not only directly negative impact athlete burnout but can also negatively influence athlete burnout through the mediating effect of training satisfaction. Therefore, we suggest the following to alleviate athlete burnout: on one hand, coaches can provide more communication opportunities for athletes to improve the coach-athlete relationship. On the other hand, teams can enhance training satisfaction by building team culture.

Assessing the digital competence of in-service university educators in China: A systematic literature review

Rapid growth has been witnessed in digital technologies, resulting in significant productive changes in communication and information technology-oriented practices in different fields. Hybrid teaching or blended learning has gained progressively widespread acceptance in the educational process, and concerns about teachers' information and communication technology (ICT) competence or digital competence have become prevalent. This study adopts a systematic review to interpret and analyse the relevant research findings, aiming to systematically investigate the existing models and paradigms of ICT competence or digital capacities and to understand further how these models and paradigms are applied specifically within the context of Chinese universities. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 out of 801 candidate studies were accessed from Web of Science, Scopus and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. The findings indicate that the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and the National Educational Technology Guides for Teachers in Higher Education (CETG) are frequently used to evaluate college educators' digital proficiency or ICT capability in China. Educators’ demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, external factors such as institutional policies and the availability of infrastructure and training collectively influence how digital teaching is integrated within Chinese higher education institutions. By conducting a systematic review of research trends and the critical factors affecting the digital competence of faculty in Chinese universities, this study aims to equip policymakers and educators with a deeper understanding of how to prepare for educational shifts in the digital era and thereby ensure the sustainability of professional development.

Effects of artificial intelligence learning environments on engineers’ intercultural communication competence: mediating role of learning adaptability

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence learning environments on the intercultural communication competence of engineers. Engineering students at Chinese higher education institutions were invited to participate, and 990 students (510 males and 480 females) from different school types, majors, and grades completed an online survey. After analyses with multivariate linear regression and structural equation modelling, the results show that different dimensions of AI learning environments – including personalized learning, use of technology, and cooperation and interaction – have significant positive impacts on engineers’ intercultural communication competence and learning adaptability. At the same time, learning adaptability plays a mediating role between AI learning environments and intercultural communication competence. This study suggests that AI learning environments may have the potential to (i) enhance engineers’ intercultural communication competence and learning adaptability, an (ii) indirectly improve engineers’ intercultural communication competence through enhancements in their learning adaptability.

Challenges of sustainable public procurement in Chinese higher education institutions: a Delphi study

PurposeThe importance of sustainable public procurement is growing in many countries and industries, including higher education institutions (HEIs) in China. However, in China, the practice of sustainable public procurement is currently limited due to various reasons. This study aims to identify the main challenges faced by Chinese HEIs when it comes to sustainable public procurement. The identification of the challenges encountered by HEIs in sustainable public procurement practices not only has practical significance in terms of improving efficiency, sustainability, competitiveness and guiding policymaking but also has theoretical significance in terms of enriching the knowledge body, facilitating the dissemination of sustainability and supporting international comparative research. To identify these challenges, the study gathered data from a small sample of procurement supervisors, experts and commissioners in HEIs using the Delphi method. The study concludes that Chinese HEIs can address the challenges of sustainable public procurement through measures such as fundraising, technology and equipment upgrading, supply chain optimization, regulatory compliance and raising awareness and providing training.Design/methodology/approachTo pinpoint the challenges of sustainable public procurement faced by HEIs in China, this study began by obtaining data from a small sample of procurement supervisors, experts and commissioners in HEIs who are knowledgeable about the issue through the Delphi method. Secondly, the collected challenge factors were also subjected to a literature review to identify the most common challenges in recent papers published around the world. Thus, it was possible to assess the relationship between the challenges mentioned by researchers in China and other countries.FindingsThe main challenges faced by HEIs in China in implementing sustainable public procurement are the focus on economic efficiency, the experience and awareness of procurement staff, policy ambiguity as well as culture, management mechanisms and leadership attitudes in the organizations. The study concludes that Chinese HEIs can effectively overcome the challenges of implementing sustainable public procurement through a variety of measures, including fundraising, technology and equipment upgrading, supply chain optimization, regulatory compliance and awareness raising and training.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations should be considered in this study. Judging by the sample size, it is clear that the results of the study are limited. Although the number of experts involved in the study is required, caution should be exercised when generalizing the results, as this may not be representative of the entire population. In future studies, the use of a larger sample size could be considered to overcome this problem. Related to this limitation is the uneven geographical distribution of the sample, and this study only considered the situation of HEIs in Jiangsu Province, China, which is not representative of the national region.Practical implicationsThe practical significance can be seen in two aspects. First, accurately identifying challenges can help HEIs optimize the implementation of their sustainable purchasing policies, leading to more efficient resource allocation and reduced unnecessary resource consumption. Second, by addressing these challenges, HEIs can better fulfill their social role in sustainable development, contributing to the triple bottom line of the economy, environment and society. Implementing sustainable procurement strategies not only enhances the social image of HEIs but also attracts a broader student base and financial support, ultimately improving their competitive position in the education market. A deeper understanding of these challenges provides policymakers with a basis to develop a more operational and targeted policy framework to support sustainable procurement in HEIs.Social implicationsThis study succeeded in answering two research questions that provide practical implications for public procurement practitioners, researchers and policymakers. Although HEIs in China do not practice sustainable public procurement at a high rate, however, with the spread of sustainability and environmental awareness, more and more HEIs are beginning to realize the importance of sustainability and are gradually taking it into account in their procurement.Originality/valueThe findings of the study not only significantly enrich the existing body of knowledge on sustainable public procurement, but also support the selection of challenge variables that must be addressed first to facilitate the application of sustainable procurement in China’s HEIs.

Psychological Capital as a Mediator in the Link between Organizational Socialization and Job Performance in Chinese Higher Education Teachers

This research examines the relationships between organizational socialization, psychological capital, and job performance within Chinese higher education institutions, with an emphasis on the implications for institutional sustainability. Utilizing a quantitative methodology, this study surveyed 1079 faculty members across various universities in China to assess how organizational socialization influences job performance (task, contextual, adaptive, and counterproductive dimensions) both directly and indirectly through psychological capital (self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience). Statistical analyses with the Process 4.2. Macros for SPSS 29.01 have been conducted using model 4. The analysis indicates that organizational socialization has a positive direct effect on task performance, both contextual and adaptive, but a negative effect on counterproductive performance. A significant positive relationship between organizational socialization and each of the psychological capital components has been found. The psychological capital components each played a unique role in mediating the relationship between organizational socialization and the different performance dimensions. These findings suggest that strategic socialization practices can significantly improve both the immediate and long-term performance outcomes of faculty members. This study contributes to the understanding of how targeted socialization and psychological capital development can serve as levers for optimizing job performance in the academic sector.

Situational Leadership Practices of Higher Education in China as Correlates to Organizational Commitment

This study delves into the relationship between situational leadership practices and the organizational commitment of faculty members within Chinese higher education institutions. Through a survey and in-depth interviews with 352 in-service teachers from three universities in Jiangxi Province, this research collected data on situational leadership practices and organizational commitment. The findings indicate that the seven dimensions of situational leadership practices—supportive behavior, leadership behavior, members' maturity level, teaching guidance behavior, academic exchange and collaboration, personal growth and self-management, and technology application—are significantly and positively correlated with the organizational commitment of faculty members. Specifically, supportive behavior and leadership behavior play a crucial role in enhancing the affective commitment, continuance commitment, and normative commitment of faculty members. Additionally, the study discovered significant differences in the situational leadership practices related to academic exchange and collaboration among teachers from different academic backgrounds. This research underscores the pivotal role of situational leadership in enhancing the organizational commitment of faculty members and the effectiveness of higher education institutions, and it offers targeted suggestions for improvement.

An empirical analysis of EFL teachers’ digital literacy in Chinese higher education institutions

In 2022, China’s Educational Ministry, for the first time, released an industry standard for teachers’ digital literacy. This standard provides a holistic framework for teachers’ digital literacy (TDL) in five dimensions. Since few studies have investigated EFL teachers’ digital literacy, the relationships among the five dimensions proposed for EFL teachers’ digital literacy remain unknown. Therefore, this research applied a quantitative method using a five-point Likert questionnaire designed based on TDL. Ninety-two EFL teachers from two universities and one higher vocational college in China participated in this questionnaire research. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationships between these five dimensions. The relationships between the five TDL dimensions were highlighted by the findings, which supported the proposed model. In addition, implications for enhancing EFL teachers’ future digital literacy have been provided to facilitate and favor EFL teachers’ digital literacy development.

From vocation to profession: multiple identities of Chinese management academics

The academic landscape in China has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from a spiritually rooted vocation to a model driven by managerial efficiency, catalyzed by market reforms that dismantled the traditional, centrally planned system. This seismic shift has forced scholars to adapt to a performance-oriented environment, leading to significant transformations in their professional identities. Contemporary literature, primarily centered on Western role-theory perspectives, often fails to capture the intricate cognitive dynamics that shape academic identities under the varied influence of power dimensions. This study addresses this gap by exploring how Chinese academics’ identities are constructed amidst a complex interplay of power dynamics, external changes, and internal motivations, moving beyond simplistic group-level categorizations. Employing an intersectional approach within a multidimensional organizational power framework, this research utilizes case study methods to probe deeply into the multiple identities of academics in the Business Management discipline across various Chinese higher education institutions. The study reveals a dynamic interplay among multiple power dimensions, including American research hegemony, industrialization of academic governance, self-regulation, and rebellion against ‘academic games’. These forces collectively shape distinct identity modules among Chinese academics: fanatic convert of American research, career survivor, diligent game player, and career retreater, each responding uniquely to the evolving academic pressures. This research significantly enhances our understanding of academic identity construction by extending beyond traditional role-based analyses to encompass a broader spectrum of cognitive processes. It highlights the nuanced intersectionality of academic identities, effectively integrating structuralist perspectives with personal agency. This comprehensive examination provides critical insights into the development of Management disciplines, university governance, and professional practices within the academic community in China.

Nexus of knowledge oriented leadership and knowledge worker performance in Chinese higher education institutions: a post-pandemic behavioral analysis

PurposeIn the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak understanding the behavioral dynamics and role of knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) in driving knowledge worker performance (KWP) is paramount for organizations striving to adapt and thrive in the post-pandemic era. Drawing on the path-goal theory, this study explores the impact of KOL on KWP. In addition, this study seeks to examine both the direct and indirect influences of KOL on KWP via digital orientation (DO) and digital citizenship practices (DCP), especially for higher education institutions (HEIs) located in China.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consisted of 319 academic staff from HEIs in China. The study used Smart-PLS 4.0 for analytical examination.FindingsThe results indicate that the impact of knowledge-oriented leadership on KWP is negligible. Furthermore, DCP and DO partially mediate the relationship between KOL and KWP. The findings of this research have practical implications for Chinese HEIs and organizations across industries, providing insights into how to navigate the complexities of the post-pandemic work environment and effectively harness digitalization to optimize the KWP.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of this research extend beyond the HEIs, providing organizations in various industries with evidence-based strategies to promote effective leadership, foster digital skills, and cultivate a culture of digital citizenship in the post-pandemic work landscape.Originality/valueDespite the increasing significance of KOL in the higher education sector, there is a dearth of studies establishing a relationship between KOL and KWP in HEIs. The present study seeks to fill this gap by examining the association among KOL, KWP, DO, and DCP in HEIs during the post-pandemic. This research provides significant contributions to the existing literature on the topic by scientifically exploring the association between KOL and KWP by examining the intervention mechanism of both digital citizenship practices and digital orientation.

Corporate culture in Ukrainian and Chinese institutions of higher education in the context of bilateral relations

Corporate culture in Ukrainian and Chinese institutions of higher education in the context of bilateral relations

Examining the impact of sustainable leadership on green knowledge sharing and green learning: Understanding the roles of green innovation and green organisational performance

Despite the enhanced significance of leadership in the effectual transformation of universities towards sustainability, literature on the role and practices of sustainable leadership (SL) in higher education institutions (HEIs) remains scarce. To address this gap, this study investigated the direct effect of SL on teachers' green learning outcomes (green cognitive, social, self-growth, and satisfaction with university green experiences) in Chinese HEIs, guided by stakeholder theory. Green knowledge sharing was examined as a mediator between SL and green learning outcomes. The direct impact of teachers' green learning outcomes on green innovation (green speed and quality) and green organisational performance (customer green satisfaction, green curriculum development, green responsiveness, green research productivity, and green research ranking) were also analysed. This study also investigated whether green innovation fosters green performance in Chinese HEIs. A quantitative and cross-sectional research method was employed to analyse the data (N = 393). Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied to execute hypothetical relationships. The results showed that SL directly and positively affected green learning outcomes; however, green knowledge sharing enacted direct-only non-mediation between SL and green learning outcomes. Additionally, green learning outcomes endorsed a direct and positive relationship between green innovation and organisational performance. Similarly, a direct and positive association was found between green innovation and green organisational performance. This study focused on abandoned research, that is, the direct effect of SL on teachers' green learning outcomes in HEIs, revealing that teachers' green knowledge sharing, learning outcomes, and innovation are vital to their green organisational learning and performance. This study examined the direct effects of SL on teachers’ green learning outcomes in HEIs, which is unique to the sector. Further, the investigation of green knowledge sharing between SL and green learning outcomes is a novel contribution. Similarly, the combination of green learning outcomes, green innovation, and green performance in HEIs is original.

Moderated Mediation Model of Student Expectation and Satisfaction in Blended Learning: Context of Mathematics Learning in Chinese Higher education institutions

With the continuous development of educational informatization, blended learning, which combines the advantages of online and offline teaching, has become a research hotspot in the field of education. This study aims to discuss the influencing factors of blended learning satisfaction. Using purposive sampling method, 529 undergraduate students majoring in mathematics from 16 higher education institutions in Guangxi were surveyed. Furthermore, validity and reliability tests, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were employed to process the data. Empirical results indicate that in blended learning, student expectation and perceived value have significant positive effects on learning satisfaction. Student expectation also have a significant positive effect on perceived value. Moreover, perceived value plays a mediating role in the relationship between student expectation and learning satisfaction. Self-efficacy moderates the relationship between student expectation and learning satisfaction. This study contributes to enhancing the quality of blended courses and improving the satisfaction of university students with blended learning.

Subjective experiences of tertiary student pianists with playing-related musculoskeletal disorder: a transcendental phenomenological analysis.

The literature suggests that the medical community needs musicians to provide an insider's perspective to understand the physical and psychological dimensions of playing an instrument, and healthcare providers need to understand musicians' experiences in order to develop coping strategies. Compared with professional pianists, student pianists are a neglected group. However, student and professional pianists both want to maintain their playing careers and have the experience of giving up playing because of playing-related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD). There are a few studies conducted on student pianists' experiences with PRMD, but none have been conducted in the Chinese context. Given the distinctive characteristics of higher music education in China and Chinese piano students, this study aims to investigate the lived experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD. Phenomenology is the most suitable qualitative method for investigating lived experiences. This study employed a transcendental phenomenological approach to investigate the experiences of student pianists, collecting data through one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions. Since phenomenological research emphasizes the homogeneity of research subjects, all 25 participants in this study are tertiary student pianists from seven Chinese higher education institutions. Four themes and ten sub-themes were identified in this study. They are as follows: Theme one, Perceptions of PRMD, with sub-themes of body perceptions, negative thought, and emotional changes; Theme two, Complex Identity, with sub-themes of future pianists' identity, nuanced identity of student pianists, and the dual identity between student pianist and patient; Theme three, Coping Strategies, with sub-themes of self-regulation and actively seek help from social relations; Theme four, Influences and Meanings, with sub-themes of negative influences of PRMD and positive meanings of PRMD. This study explores the experiences of tertiary student pianists with PRMD, including their subjective thoughts and feelings. It also highlights the importance of understanding tertiary student pianists' experiences in developing health education and healthcare measures tailored to them.

Research on the Path of Digital Technology Empowering Teaching Reform in Japanese Majors in Chinese Universities---A Case Study of ZYU

With the rapid development of information technology, the application of digital technology in foreign language teaching is becoming increasingly widespread. Driven by the Chinese government’s policies on education digitalization, Japanese majors at Chinese higher education institutions are actively embracing digital technology to drive teaching reform. This paper, taking Zhejiang Yuexiu University (ZYU) as an example, discusses how digital technology can empower teaching reform in Japanese majors, analyzes the attempts and shortcomings of the current digitalization reform of Japanese majors, and proposes specific reform paths in conjunction with China’s national policies and the trend of educational digitalization development.

Goal Progression, Trait Changes, and Practice Paths of Artificial Intelligence Ethics Education of Professional Courses in Higher Education

Artificial Intelligence as an emerging technology in a large number of applications at the same time gradually revealed many ethical issues. Artificial Intelligence ethics education has become an important initiative and a key link in the implementation of the fundamental task of moral education in Chinese higher education institutions, however, Artificial Intelligence ethics education in professional courses often lags behind the education of course knowledge and skills, and it is difficult to achieve the integration of the three educational requirements. This paper proposes that Artificial Intelligence ethics education in professional courses should meet the requirements of the progression of course teaching objectives and adapt to the changes of educational traits from explicit and implicit to integration, and puts forward a practical path of Artificial Intelligence ethics education in professional courses that is consistent with the objectives, adapted to the traits, and constructed with multiple synergies according to the progression of the educational objectives of the professional course system and the changes of the educational traits. This paper also proposes the following suggestions for ethical education in professional courses: in order to achieve the goals of ethical teaching, it is necessary to establish connections between courses at different stages of cultivation, so that each course forms a hierarchical, collaborative, and supportive relationship. After the relationship is established, it is necessary to strengthen the collaborative participation of various subjects and corresponding practical guarantees in the specific teaching practice. This helps to form a system of Artificial Intelligence ethics education throughout the whole process, which in turn improves students' Artificial Intelligence ethics literacy.

Optimizing Online Teaching: Total Quality Management in Action for Quality Assurance Measures

The large-scale online teaching amid the pandemic triggered increasing concern over online teaching management and quality assurance. Take the theory of Total Quality Management (TQM) as guidance, a Chinese higher education institution (CHEI) built a multi-level, multi-link, and multi-dimensional teaching quality monitoring system (Online Teaching Quality Assurance Measures) with full participation, whole process, and all-round development by innovating teaching quality management and monitoring mechanism, aiming to ensure the continuous improvement of talent training quality to realize the sustainable development of application-oriented undergraduate universities with quality improvement as the core. The effectiveness of online teaching quality was demonstrated through the Questionnaire of Student Evaluation of Online Teaching Faculty and students&amp;rsquo; academic performance (GPA) before and after the implementation of Online Teaching Quality Assurance Measures, guided by the principles of Total Quality Management theory. The results indicated that Online Teaching Quality Assurance Measures have a series of positive effects on online teaching in CHEI, and systematically guide online instructors as evidenced by outstanding ratings and feedback in course evaluations and students&amp;rsquo; academic performance. This study also revealed that CHEI&amp;rsquo;s online teaching is facing some challenges, especially in the effort to promote learning interaction and teaching cooperation. The study underscored the importance of continuous improvement and provided some interventions in enhancing online educational practices, aligning with TQM principles. The findings are expected to make an important contribution to the field of online teaching quality management in higher education.

Research on the Connotation of Teacher Ethics in Chinese Higher Educational Institutions in the New Era

Research on the Connotation of Teacher Ethics in Chinese Higher Educational Institutions in the New Era