Higher Education Institutions In Pakistan Research Articles

Sustainable leadership and knowledge ingredients - the recipe for sustainable competitive advantage: a mixed-method approach

ABSTRACT Drawing on the principles of complexity theory, the research seeks to ascertain the causal configurations that can lead to enhanced Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA) within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The sample was drawn from HEIs in Pakistan. The research used asymmetrical fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), to identify the antecedent conditions that predict high SCA scores in HEIs. The results revealed several configurations that can help HEIs improve SCA, complementing the major tenets of complexity theory. Symmetric methods see SCA as the result of isolated antecedents, they have significant limitations when it comes to understanding SCA, which is a complex construct. This is evident from recent research. Symmetric approaches have fewer theoretical ramifications and are less informative. The study adds to the literature on leadership and knowledge management by highlighting the causal configurations that result in improved SCA. The research will assist management in understanding the complexity of SCA and the possibility that different recipes may be more effective in enhancing SCA than concentrating on individual factors and their effects on HEIs. Managers will find new paths to SCA with the aid of the study.

Learners’ attitudes toward language education based on cultural identities: global citizenship agenda in higher education institutions of Pakistan

PurposeEnglish is the language of global communication, worldwide mobility, job progress, and access to new information and research. Given the numerous roles that English plays in today's society, higher education institutes (HEIs) all over the world are pursuing English-medium education. For Pakistan, however, English-medium education is a colonial legacy rather than a deliberate choice. Research suggests that English-medium education is not devoid of controversy in higher education in Pakistan; nonetheless, students have to seek English-medium education in universities to compete with the world. In fact, being committed to SDG 4.7 Education for sustainable development and global citizenship, Pakistan is supposed to educate its citizens to become global citizens, for which English-medium education is essential. Given the fact that each of the five provinces of Pakistan has a distinct culture and sub-cultures, it is important to see how Pakistani students’ attitudes to English-medium education to become global citizens are different based on their cultural identities. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze undergraduates’ attitudes toward English-medium education based on their cultural identities to become global citizens.Design/methodology/approachUnder the quantitative research paradigm, the present research adopted a comparative design. One hundred and fifty undergraduates participated in the study. The data were collected using a 15-item questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale, and it was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27.0.FindingsThe results of the study revealed that participants regardless of their cultural identities have positive attitudes towards English-medium education as they believe it to be a source of career development, and improvement of their language, communication, and interpersonal skills. The participants also did not see English-medium education posing any threat to traditional culture and local languages. The findings of the present study also revealed that there is no statistical difference across the different categories of cultural identity.Practical implicationsThe findings of the present study regarding students’ attitudes toward English-medium education will have implications for policymakers and university administration. Since cultural identity does not hinder acceptance of English-medium education, students’ positive attitudes can help policymakers promote multilingualism and English-medium education for career development. However, high-quality English language programs are crucial for maximizing the benefits. Likewise, positive attitudes of students towards English-medium education in Pakistan suggest students’ openness to intercultural dialogue. Therefore, university administration can further enhance student exchange programs for transnational research and development. Likewise, the study implies that cultural identity may not hinder English-medium education implementation in developing countries provided that practical benefits like career advancement and communication skill are emphasized.Originality/valueThe study is unique in the sense that it analyses undergraduates’ attitudes towards English-medium education concerning students’ cultural identities and global citizenship which have not been studied previously.

Integrated Significant Predictors Increasing the Overall Effectiveness and Usability of MOOC in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan From Learners’ Perspectives: An Application of the UTAUT Model

Integrated Significant Predictors Increasing the Overall Effectiveness and Usability of MOOC in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan From Learners’ Perspectives: An Application of the UTAUT Model

A Critical Analysis of the Regulations and Process of Appointment of Vice-Chancellors at Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

In post Eighteenth Amendment era higher education became a provincial subject, limiting the Federal HEC's role to maintaining standards. However, only two provinces have established their Higher Education Commissions with limited power. Various university acts have loopholes regarding appointments of vice- chancellors, leading to some appointments being nullified by higher courts due to procedural non-compliance. The lack of clear rules for higher level appointments negatively impacts lower levels, necessitating a robust legislative framework. It is crucial to appoint permanent vice-chancellors for all vacant positions in Higher Education Institutions. An effective and efficient regulatory and legislative framework for the higher education sector should involve all major stakeholders, including the Federal Government, Provincial Governments, university representatives, the National Finance Commission, and the Council of Common Interest. This collaboration is essential to address the current gaps and improve governance in higher education.

Working Women Political Awareness, Participation & Apathy in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

Political awareness is vital to increase support for political activism and decreasethe political indifference (apathy). Likewise, access to political information andcontinuous updating of political awareness determines and strengthens the positiveand negative behavior of the individual citizens. This study is aimed to study therelationship of Political Awareness, of Working Women in Pakistan, with theirPolitical Participation & Apathy, particularly of those women working in thehigher education institutions of Pakistan.

Pathways to Leadership: A Cross-cultural Analysis of Women Leaders in Pakistan and United States

This study investigates the experiences of women in leadership roles within higher education institutions in Pakistan and the United States. The main aim is to understand how women describe their experiences in attaining, advancing, and maintaining leadership positions in higher education. It contributes to theoretical understandings of women's leadership and highlighting unique challenges and opportunities in different cultural contexts. This study employs Mezirow's (2003) Critical Reflection Theory as a theoretical framework to guide participants' retrospective storytelling process. Through qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of interview transcripts, the study explores how women navigate their journeys to leadership positions and the challenges they encounter. Despite cultural variations, female leaders in both countries face comparable obstacles such as gender bias and limited training opportunities. To empower these leaders, policies should prioritize formal leadership training, address workplace bias, and support work-life balance initiatives. Policy implications include the implementation of formal leadership training programs, addressing unconscious bias, and supporting family-friendly policies to empower female leaders. Advocacy for legislative measures promoting gender equality in leadership positions is crucial for creating supportive policy environments globally. Keywords: Cross culture, work life balance, leadership, gender gap, networking, and mentorship

Is academic innovation need of an hour? The role of intellectual capital and dynamic capabilities in driving academic performance

Purpose This study aims to explore the connections between intellectual capital and academic performance in Lahore, Pakistan’s higher education institutions (HEIs). The research delves into the mediation effect of dynamic capabilities, such as acquisition and exploitation, between intellectual capital and innovation within these educational institutions. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in the insights from a comprehensive literature review, the methodology uses a pre-tested questionnaire. Faculty members from private universities in Pakistan were chosen as the study's unit of analysis. Using a convenience sampling technique, data was gathered from 342 teachers and then analyzed using Smart (PLS) 3.3.3. Findings The results demonstrate that intellectual capital positively affects innovation. Acquisition and exploitation further mediate this influence, improving academic performance. Applying the knowledge-based view theory, the study confirmed the significance of all the posited hypotheses, underlining the positive interrelationships within Pakistan’s academic institutions. Originality/value The novelty of this research lies in its specific focus on the HEIs in Pakistan, demonstrating how intellectual capital and dynamic capabilities foster innovation, thereby enabling these institutions to maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

The role of administrative discretion in the coping behaviour of street-level bureaucrats in higher education institutions of Pakistan

Policies are created at the highest level, and street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) implement them at lower levels. SLBs work directly with citizens and exercise significant discretion in their service. According to Lipsky's theory, SLBs face various problems and use multiple coping techniques to deal with them. This study focused on the discretionary powers of the heads of departments (HODs) and the use of coping mechanisms when faced with challenges in enacting the semester system policy. The existing study used the theoretical model of coping mechanisms using a single-case research methodology to investigate the HODs of a prestigious public university's coping behaviour in implementing the semester system. Semi-structured interviews were employed to get the perspectives of HODs in this qualitative research. This study used the classification model of coping families developed by Tummers, Bekkers, Vink, and Michael (2015) and concludes that management has given HODs some task-discretionary authority for carrying out the semester system policy based on thematic analysis. The findings reveal that HODs move against the students rather than towards or away from them in coping behaviour. HODs strictly follow the semester system's policy by adhering to rigid rule-following.

Challenges Faced by the International Students Studying in Universities of Pakistan

The study tries to find out the challenges faced by international students in higher education institutes in Pakistan. The main objective was to find out the challenging areas for international students studying in higher education institutes in Pakistan. A descriptive research approach was utilized to find the challenges experienced by international students in Pakistani higher education institutions. Data was collected using a 5-point Likert-type scale questionnaire comprising six parts covering academic, social and cultural, logistic and administrative, financial, discrimination-related challenges, and support and resources. Prior to the main data collection phase, pilot testing was conducted with a small group of international students to refine the questionnaire and assess its alpha reliability (0.921) and validity. Data was collected from 150+ samples using snowball sampling due to a low response rate from different universities. Ethical considerations were considered, and respondents were provided with informed consent outlining the purpose of the study. Data analysis was conducted using statistics software. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions and group statistics, were used to quantify and compare the challenges. Mean scores, standard deviation, t-values, and significance were also calculated. The study found certain very challenging areas for international students and certain areas as less difficult. The study recommends a comprehensive support setup for international students by the higher education institutes of Pakistan.

Does Transformational Leadership Matter for Employee Performance?

The positive role of the employee cannot be underestimated in the organization's success because employees are the main asset of any organization; these unique assets must be fascinated through an organizational learning culture (OLC). They must also adapt to the changes in the organization to accept the challenges of the current era. Subsequently, this study expects to evaluate the impact of transformational leadership (TL) on faculty performance in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In addition, it examines the mediating role of organizational learning culture (OLC) between transformational leadership and employee performance (EP). Data is collected from HEIs in Pakistan. The questionnaire was adopted from past studies and distributed to 400 faculty members of business schools in Pakistan. The result of the study indicates that transformational leadership significantly impacts employee performance (EP) in the presence of a learning culture (mediating variable). The study's findings can be used in other organizations in Pakistan rather than only in academic institutions.

Students’ Perspective on the Semester System at Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

This study investigates student perceptions of the semester system's deployment in Pakistani higher education institutions in the context of worldwide transformative shifts. The study examines the transition from the conventional annual system, focusing on key issues such as students' first perceptions, the semester system's impact on academic workload, time management, learning, assessment procedures, engagement, and involvement. It investigates feedback mechanisms and communication channels to get insights into the effectiveness of student-instructor interactions. The study evaluates overall student happiness and the semester system's possible impact on well-being, recognizing both positive characteristics that contribute to a positive academic experience and potential issues that harm mental health. Five selective universities conducted a survey using a questionnaire. The four-point Likert scale questionnaire “strongly disagree to strongly agree” was used to collect the ordinal data. Using simple random sampling, four hundred student samples were collected from five selective universities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the frequency, percentage, and median as the average for ordinal data. Furthermore, the Kruskal Wallis H Test assessed variations in more than two groups’ opinions based on five university levels, and the Mann– Whitney U test investigated inequalities in the views of two groups of male and female students. The results offer valuable insights to educational policymakers, administrators, and educators. These insights will provide a student-focused understanding of the consequences of implementing the semester system.

Work Engagement in Higher Education Institutes of Pakistan: The Role of Skill, Motivation and Opportunity Enhancing HRM Practices

In the current business environment, organizations are giving a lot of attention to employee engagement. Therefore, the present study’s goal was to examine the connection between skill, motivation, and opportunity -enhancing HRM practices and employee engagement with respect to academic staff working in higher education, Sindh, Pakistan. The studyemploys a quantitative research design based on SPSS and Smart PLS. Data were gathered from 307 academician working in the staff working in higher education Sindh, Pakistan. The survey approach was used to gather the data for the cross-sectional research. The findings of the study show a connection between employee engagement and HRM practices. Organizations’ HRM practices gave employees more authority and engagement, which improved their performance in their jobs. The findings of the study suggest that for universities to succeed in the long run, skill, motivation, and opportunity enhancing HRM practices should be prioritized. Therefore, organizations should concentrate on and efficiently apply human resource management practices to increase employee commitment and engagement physically, cognitively, and emotionally with their work. This study extents social exchange theory, it also offers universities insight into the significance of having efficient HRM procedures to raise academicians' levels of commitment to their jobs.

Unlocking the potential of technology usage in fostering education quality and students' satisfaction: a case of Pakistani higher education

PurposeThis research aims to determine the levels of education quality (EQ), technology usage (TU), students' satisfaction (SS) and the impact of EQ on SS. Also, it seeks to find out how TU as a moderator affects EQ and SS in Pakistani private higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachA total of 440 postgraduate students at eleven private universities in Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan, participated in empirical research and data were obtained through the use of an online questionnaire. Simple random sampling was used to choose participants and partial least square structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data.FindingsThe findings revealed that Pakistani private HEIs have a medium level of EQ, TU and SS. Furthermore, the data reveal the existence of a significant positive relationship between EQ and SS, whereas TU as a moderator was found to negatively affect EQ and SS.Research limitations/implicationsPostgraduate students of private HEIs in Pakistan were considered for this investigation and this study was limited to testing only in Punjab province. Another limitation of this study is that it was based on a research framework from previous research and literature. This study employed questionnaire surveys to conduct evaluations of teachers' teaching quality by university students. Furthermore, the questionnaire employed student self-evaluations to assess the quality of teaching. The research data would be more detailed if it were possible to include teachers' self-evaluations of their teaching quality.Practical implicationsThe current study provides key insights for policymakers, higher education commission and HEIs. The results suggest leveraging the identified medium levels of EQ, TU and student satisfaction in Pakistani private HEIs. In an effort to boost the medium levels, policymakers are encouraged to enhance the teaching and learning experience by robustly integrating Web 4.0 technologies. Institutions can intervene strategically by investing in infrastructure and innovative tools aligned with students' technological needs. Likewise, policymakers and institutions can optimize learning management systems (LMS) by developing and implementing policies that encourage their adoption and optimization across HEIs. This may contribute to the accomplishment of the United Nations' sustainable development goal of providing quality education. Moreover, with the help of this research HEIs can establish minimum quality standards regarding academic teaching and learning materials. Implementing the above-mentioned practical implications might boost student satisfaction in HEIs which would benefit not only students but also the institutions.Originality/valueThe novelty of the article lies in the fact that it addresses the gap in the existing literature by exploring the levels of EQ, TU and student satisfaction in the context of private higher education in Pakistan. Furthermore, this study investigated whether TU served as a moderator in the relationship between student satisfaction and UNESCO-recommended EQ. This study elaborates on EQ indicators recommended by UNESCO in Pakistan’s private higher education sector.

Exploring Heads’ Perspective on Social Justice for Students in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

Equal opportunity does not imply equal treatment: rather it means fair treatment (Ghosh, 2012). Fair treatment and providing equal opportunities to enhance individual’s capability, irrespective of any personal or societal differences, can contribute in providing excellence in education that leads to social justice. The objective of the study was to explore heads’ perspectives of students’ equitable access to educational resources, equitable participation and equitable outcomes in higher education. The study had also explored heads’ perspectives on students’ personal barriers to social justice and equity. To explore the perspective of heads on social justice for students in universities, data had been collected from 17 leaders working in higher education, by using multistage sampling technique. An interview protocol was developed to explore the perspective on social justice connected to leaders for bringing improvements in education so that all students get equal opportunities to excel in education. The results presented less positive situation of social justice and equity in public sector higher education. The study recommends that the education system needs to consider social justice and equity to ensure heads’ commitment to social justice and equity principles, leading to equal opportunities for making students’ capability better in higher education institutions in Pakistan.

Political Skills and Perceived Employability: Exploring the Mediating Role of Career Self-efficacy

This research study aims to explore the impact of political skills on perceived employability, focusing on the mediating effect of career self-efficacy among faculty of higher education institutes in Pakistan. By examining the employability issues faced by faculty in Pakistan’s higher education institutes, this study shed light on the challenges and opportunities for professional development in this domain. The survey was conducted using an administered questionnaire. A sample of N= 340 was selected through convenience sampling technique, ensuring representation from various higher education institutes of Pakistan. Data was collected from respondents through online Google forms. The questionnaires determine three variables: perceived employability, career self-efficacy, and political skills. The results indicated that career self-efficacy has a mediating role between political skills and perceived employability. Regression analysis also confirmed that political skills are positively correlated with perceived employability. Faculty members in higher education institutions should prioritize Self-managed career behaviors, such as developing career goals and implementing career tactics, as a means of enhancing their employability. In addition, management should launch formal and informal training programs for employees to strengthen feeling of success and career development. Providing employees with sufficient support and resources can help them improve their career self-efficacy and ensure their future employability.

Workplace dynamics and individual outcomes: Role of workplace ostracism in shaping inner resignation

This study aims to examine the influence of workplace ostracism on horizontal workplace violence, occupational self-efficacy, and inner resignation in the faculty members working in higher education institutions of Pakistan. In this study, a survey was held for native Urdu speakers. The back-to-back method was used for the translation of the questionnaire. The translated questionnaire was pilot tested with a small group to ensure clarity. The total of 321 responses were collected by using self-administered questionnaires and online platform. The SPSS and Smart PLS4 software were utilized for hypothesis testing. The results of the study show that respondents have low workplace ostracism, horizontal workplace violence, and inner resignation, whereas they exhibit high occupational self-efficacy. The results also indicate that workplace ostracism has the strong and positive relation with horizontal workplace violence while negative relation with occupational self-efficacy. The findings of the study show that interrelationship between workplace ostracism and inner resignation is not an isolated one but is significantly influenced by horizontal workplace violence and occupational self-efficacy.

Social Media Addiction in The Young Community: Elucidation of The Development of Behavioral Responses

Background: University students have been using social media in an uncontrolled manner without knowledge of the negative impacts on their cognitive functionality. Therefore, an assessment of the alterations in the behavior pattern of the university students is required to associate the linkage between social media use and subsequent aggressiveness. Contribution: Current work has for the first time conducted a socio-behavioral study on the younger university students for gaining an insight into their inclination towards using different social media platforms and changes in their behavioral patterns. Method: University students (73 total; 35 males and 38 females) were chosen who had history of using social media for the last three to five years. These students were affiliated with higher education institutions in Pakistan and the time of analysis was September 2022 – January 2023. An open-ended questionnaire was filled and statistically analyzed for significance using Origin software and SPSS software Results: This work has identified significant relationship between the social media utilization and alterations in the behavior of university students. Different determinants worked upon in this research are the impacts of the social media on cognitive occupation, emotive functions, relapse, conflict, anger, and hostility. Conclusion: The study has associated and evaluated such behavioral factors as determinants of aggression in the younger generation. Also, the study has compared and contrasted the appearance of aggression as a pattern taking in consideration different gender roles to comprehend the role of gender in perceiving and adopting social media trends.

Influence of Ethical Climate, Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Justice on Workplace Deviant Behavior: A Mediating Role of Organizational Citizenship Behavior

This research investigates the intricate relationships among ethical climate, workplace spirituality, organizational justice, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and workplace deviant behavior within the context of higher education institutions in Pakistan. The study proposes and tests a comprehensive model, exploring direct relationships and the mediating role of OCB. The hypotheses posit significant associations between ethical climate, workplace spirituality, organizational justice, and both organizational citizenship behavior and workplace deviant behavior. Furthermore, the research examines the mediating effects of organizational justice on the relationships between ethical climate, workplace spirituality, and workplace deviant behavior. Drawing on a sample of 259 teachers from various public and private universities in Pakistan, the study contributes to filling existing gaps in the literature, particularly in the context of developing nations. The methodology employs a correlational research design, utilizing a survey questionnaire with Likert-type scales. Data analysis is conducted through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), allowing for a nuanced examination of relationships and mediating effects. The results indicate significant direct relationships between ethical climate and workplace deviant behavior, as well as organizational justice and deviant behavior. Ethical climate also positively relates to organizational citizenship behavior, as does organizational justice. Workplace spirituality, however, does not exhibit a significant relationship with workplace deviant behavior or organizational citizenship behavior. The findings further reveal the mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior in the relationships between ethical climate and workplace deviant behavior, as well as organizational justice and workplace deviant behavior. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of ethical and behavioral dynamics in organizational settings, particularly in the unique context of higher education institutions in Pakistan.

Determining factors to foster educators' pedagogical resilience: test of servant leadership and social cognitive theories in post-pandemic era

PurposeRoles and responsibilities of higher education academics (educators) have dramatically changed since COVID-19 outbreak. Considering this, the present study applies servant leadership and social cognitive theories to test three determinants of pedagogical resilience, i.e. servant leadership, professional self-efficacy and workplace thriving. The study also tests moderation of professional self-efficacy between servant leadership and pedagogical resilience.Design/methodology/approachApplying snowball sampling, time-lagged data were collected on T1 and T2 through survey questionnaire from 205 employees of six higher education institutes (HEIs) in Sindh, Pakistan. For data analysis, the study employed structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.FindingsResults indicate that servant leadership and professional self-efficacy predict pedagogical resilience of educators. Moreover, professional self-efficacy moderates the relationship between servant leadership and pedagogical resilience.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has a few limitations. The study was conducted in HEIs of Pakistan, which are non-profit organizations. Given this, generalizability of findings in profit-making organizations is suggested with caution. Cross-cultural and cross-regional generalizability may also be challenging.Practical implicationsTraining, coaching and role modeling may improve efficacy of educators, which is vital to pedagogical resilience. Furthermore, servant leadership attributes (i.e. emotional support and empathy) may also enhance resilience. Rolling-out tailored training programs for boosting professional efficacy of existing faculty could be helpful in building pedagogical resilience. Fostering a culture of teamwork through adopting collaborative and state of the art educational technologies could also enhance self-efficacy, which is vital to resilience. This could be done when vice chancellors, rectors, HODs, etc., adopt servant leadership attributes to play their role by navigating a paradigm shift from traditional teaching platforms and physical meetings to digital educational tools.Originality/valuePost-pandemic educational management necessitates resilient workforce to handle any uncertain situation. Given this, the authors apply servant leadership and social cognitive theory and introduce a novel construct of “pedagogical resilience”. This paper offers unique theoretical contributions and suggests universities/HEIs to adopt servant leadership model and foster professional self-efficacy of educators for boosting their pedagogical resilience in times of uncertainty. Pedagogically resilient educators may be well equipped to adopt venerable pedagogical competencies, and could contribute significantly to the quality of higher education.

Contribution of multiple factors in the Quality of Higher education in Higher Education Institutes of Pakistan

The study was conducted to understand the factors including quality assurance practices, stakeholders’ perceptions, institutional governance, and technological integration on the quality of higher education in Pakistan. The study used quantitative methodology and used a close-ended survey to collect the quantitative data and then the data was analyzed through SPSS. It is found ultimately that, there is a significant relationship between quality assurance practices and the quality of higher education in Pakistan as the p-value was found to be less than 0.05 through Pearson and Spearman correlation test. The strength of relationship was found to be moderate in nature. It is also estimated that, there is a positive but weak impact of stakeholder’s perception on the quality of higher education in Pakistan. The nature of relationship is significant in nature. Moreover, there is a significant relationship between technological integration and quality of higher education in Pakistan as the p value was found to be less than 0.05 but, the strength of relationship was observed to be weak in nature as correlation coefficient was below 0.05. Subsequently, it is calculated at the end that, the institutional governance and policy has a significant but positive impact on the quality of higher education in Pakistan but, the impact is strong in moderate as the value of correlation coefficient is above 0.05. Conclusively, it can be asserted at the end that, quality assurance practices, stakeholder’s perception, technological integration and institutional governance and policy, all have positive impact on the quality of higher education in Pakistan.