Higher Education Institutions Research Articles

The integration of lecturer collaboration within higher education institutions’ quality culture framework

Purpose There is a lack of clarity about how lecturer collaboration in light of learning and (professional) development fits within the framework of a quality culture in higher education institutions (HEIs). More specifically, it is unclear how collaboration is present or stimulated in the organisational context, triggering working mechanisms leading to quality-related outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to relate HEIs' quality culture to lecturer collaboration. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study relates institutions’ quality culture to lecturer collaboration via semi-structured interviews and document analysis at the institutional level in four Flemish HEIs. Findings The results demonstrate collaboration as a working mechanism driven by the institutional strategy. In this way, lecturers’ professional development (PD) is stimulated. The results also indicate that collaboration is present within lecturers’ PD: working together during or sharing experiences after PD initiatives is considered useful for quality teaching and learning. Originality/value Following the growing attention in research and practice to lecturer collaboration, this study incorporates lecturer collaboration in the framework of quality culture within HEIs.

Анализ тревожности студентов первого и второго курсов (на примере Петрозаводского государственного университета)

The level of anxiety in modern stressful and foreign policy unfavorable conditions becomes one of the determining factors in the educational process, before the new reforms in the sphere of education there is a problem of organization of pedagogical process in students with high level of anxiety. In this article we study the actual indicators of personality and reactive anxiety in students of Petrozavodsk State University, we obtained data on statistically reliable differences in personality anxiety in students of different genders. We also conducted a systematic analysis of the literature on the platform elibrary.ru, which allowed us to obtain data on the average level of anxiety in students of different institutions of higher education from 2010 to 2022. The used indicators of the results were the values of the methodology ShRLT (Reactive (situational) and personality anxiety scale) C.D. Spielberger-J.L. Khanin.

The Outcomes of the American Renaissance Student

ABSTRACT As standardized tests continue to wane in the influence of college admissions, higher education institutions use other sociocultural and academic signals to determine the “right” fit for their institution. Extracurricular activities (EAs) that students and parents cultivate throughout high school help provide these signals. Though researchers typically consider the intensity (total hours) and breadth (number of EAs) in their analyzes, few consider EAs as a portfolio. Qualitative studies highlight how parents develop a cultural omnivore steeped in the traditions of the Athenian ideal of arts, athletics, and academics, known as the Renaissance student. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, this quantitative study examines how students are concurrently involved in art, athletic, and academic EAs during the 12th grade in high school. Compared to other college-going students, Renaissance students are more likely to attend highly selective institutions, participate in institutionally sponsored college athletics, and graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

Using the perceptions of online university students to improve the pedagogy and practice of distance educators

This paper reports on the findings of an investigation into the experiences of undergraduate and postgraduate distance education students from one higher education institution, Avondale College of Higher Education. All of the institution’s current students who were enrolled in a distance course or who had previously completed a distance component of their course were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A subgroup of this population also contributed to focus group discussions. Findings from an analysis of the combined data gathered from the online questionnaire and the focus groups were used to inform the institution’s professional development (PD) program that supports lecturers to design and teach online courses. Results of the study are outlined in terms of distance students’ perceptions about the institution’s distance education program, specifically in relation to course structure, interaction and communication, presentation of materials, use of media and design consistency. The paper concludes with recommendations for addressing the weaknesses of online learning programs including both curriculum design and PD strategies.

OER based capacity building to overcome staff equity and access issues in higher education

Open educational resources (OER) have already impacted educational systems around the world. In higher education more specifically, it has benefited learners, and has influenced institutional strategic plans and policies. Additionally, the benefits of OER also extend to staff in higher education, such as academic staff. For this group, OER can provide opportunities for collaboration, promote curriculum innovation and student led content development, as well as contribute to university teachers’ much needed continuing professional development. In this paper, we examine the potential of OER to build capacity of academic staff in higher education, in particular to overcome some equity and access issues that they may face. It also examines some existing activities and strategies for professional development in higher educational institutions and provides some recommendations for academics, academic developers, institutions, and the sector in general.

Ways of forming the socio-psychological competence of sociology students in the course of training in higher education institutions

The existing uncertainties in modern social life cause personal and mental stress in the field of communication and joint activities of people. The subject of the research is socio-psychological competence of sociology students. The purpose of the work is to study the existing ways of forming this competence in the process of teaching students at higher education institutions. In turn, in order to achieve the original purpose, the authors formulated the following objectives: to identify the current problems connected to the social competence, to consider the existing psychological culture of sociology students, and to explore the contemporary approaches to the formation of professional competence of sociology students. In order to fulfill the purpose and the corresponding objectives, the authors studied scientific articles written by other Russian researchers as a methodological basis and also considered the information contained on the Internet. Due to its own specifics, the topic is used in the process of teaching students at higher education institutions. This topic has been relevant throughout history, and therefore it seems necessary to continue research in this field. According to the research results, the following conclusions were made. The existence of ways of forming the professional competence of a future specialist allows us to identify options for improving the socio-psychological competencies of sociology students in the process of training at higher education institutions. Due to diverse approaches, it is possible to determine the manifestation of personal psychological culture most accurately. Educational institutions at the same time act as one of the main factors that influence socialisation and formation of the psychological culture of a sociology student during their education.

Bridging universities and the world: a cross-national analysis of countries’ participation in the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, 1992–2020

ABSTRACT The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme is a global initiative for higher education institutions around the world. Participants are expected to uphold the values of UNESCO and contribute to the development of a broader society, often beyond national boundaries. Despite the lack of financial incentives, more than 1,300 higher education institutions from 142 countries have been involved since the programme launched in 1992. Drawing on theories concerning both national and global environments, I employ event count analysis to investigate what drives the successful diffusion of the programme and what factors influence countries’ differing levels of participation. The results reveal that participation density, countries’ linkages to world society, existence of the ministry of higher education, and the occurrence of relevant world conferences are positively associated with participation. Developing countries took part more actively in the earlier era during which UNESCO provided seed money to launch programmes.

Mitigating Challenges in the Administration of Private Higher Educational Institutions in Malaysia

Education plays a crucial role in creating individuals who contribute positively to the development of a country. The private education sector in Malaysia, has proven to be a major source of revenue for the Malaysian government, and it is the government’s aspiration to capture a large percentage of the higher education global market. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by academic leaders in managing private universities in Malaysia and to provide feasible recommendations to overcome them. The findings are expected to provide valuable information to the management of Malaysian private universities, policymakers, and regulatory agencies. The information gathered could provide enlightenment regarding the difficulties faced in order to design and implement further policies to elevate their operational method and ensure long-term survival. Valuable recommendations have been provided to ensure the institutions remain profitable and sustainable as the development of Malaysia’s social and economic sector is dependent on its education sector.

Impact of goal congruence on higher education institutions’ performance quality

Purpose In India, national accreditation agencies stipulate that internal quality control in higher education institutions (HEIs) is to be institutionalized through internal quality assurance cells that are responsible for implementing and controlling quality systems. As the concept of goal congruence is central to a control process, this study aims to examine whether goal congruence is observed in such institutions. The impact of the absence of goal congruence on the quality of performance in higher education was also examined. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study measured the impact of goal congruence or the lack thereof on the performance quality of HEIs as defined in the evaluation criteria of the apex accreditation agency, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. Two hypotheses were tested using t-tests and regression analysis. Focus group discussions were conducted to elicit participants’ suggestions. Findings The results showed a lack of goal congruence between HEIs’ quality goals and their faculty’s personal goals, which adversely impacts the quality of their performance, as indicated by an average disagreement of 81% on a ten-statement scale. Goal congruence as an independent variable explained 63% of the variability in HEIs’ performance quality, and the results were statistically significant, indicating that lack of goal congruence is an important contributor to poor performance among HEIs. Originality/value Accreditation of HEIs is a global practice; hence, the findings of this study and the importance of goal congruence apply not only to India but also to HEIs globally.

Get the balance right: lessons from UK higher education in managing environmental and economic performance

ABSTRACT Since 2008, there have been a growing number of social policies placed on UK higher education institutions (HEIs) to engage in reducing carbon emissions and meet self-imposed carbon reduction targets while producing graduates, publishing research papers and attracting research income. HEI managers thus face the challenging task of having to determine the optimal level between environmental performance and economic performance – from activities that generate income, to which we refer as overall efficiency. To that end, the current study measures the overall efficiency levels of UK HEIs from 2012/13 to 2018/19 using a slacks-based measure model that incorporates bad outputs. The study aims to determine the extent to which the optimal balance between environmental performance and economic performance has been achieved as evidenced by the efficiency of HEIs over the course of the sample period. The study also identifies factors associated with efficiency and provides policy recommendations. Over the study period, overall efficiency (incorporating the bad output of carbon emissions) initially fell and then rose in the last 2 years suggesting some optimism that carbon emissions management has improved since then. The second-stage analysis, which identifies factors associated with efficiency, suggests that the ratio of students to staff and HEIs in the Russell group is positively associated with the efficiency of inefficient HEIs. When both efficient and inefficient universities are considered, having an environmental management system is positively associated with efficiency, while the opposite is the case for having science, engineering and medicine disciplines and having carbon reduction targets.

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.

Understanding digital transformation challenges for online learning and teaching in higher education institutions: a review and research framework

PurposeThe widespread uptake of digital technology tools for online teaching and learning reached its peak during the nationwide lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It transformed the higher education institutions (HEIs) marketplace both in developed and developing countries. However, in this process of digital transformation, several HEIs, specifically from developing countries, faced major challenges. That threatened to affect their sustainability and performance. In this vein, this study conducts a bibliometric review to map the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest strategies for HEIs to cope with post-pandemic situations in the future.Design/methodology/approachThis comprehensive review encompasses 343 papers published between 2020 and 2023, employing a systematic approach that combines bibliometrics and content analysis to thoroughly evaluate the articles.FindingsThe investigation revealed a lack of published work addressing the specific challenges faced by the faculty members affecting their well-being. The study underscores the importance of e-learning technology adoption for higher education sustainability by compelling both students and teachers to rely heavily on social media platforms to maintain social presence and facilitate remote learning. The reduced interpersonal interaction during the pandemic has had negative consequences for academic engagement and professional advancement for both educators and students.Practical implicationsThis has implications for policymakers and the management of HEIs, as it may prove useful in reenvisioning and redesigning future curricula. The paper concludes by developing a sustainable learning framework using a blended approach. Additionally, we also provide directions for future research to scholars.Originality/valueThis study has implications for policymakers and HEI management to rethink the delivery of future courses with a focus on education and institute sustainability. Finally, the research also proposes a hybrid learning framework for sustainability and forms a robust foundation for scholars in future research.

THE USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN UNIVERSITY LEARNING THROUGH A BIBLIOMETRIC APPROACH

The article proposes a bibliometric analysis of digitalization in higher education. Based on research conducted in October 2023, the study explored 967 articles in the Web of Science (WOS) database. It highlights the growing importance of digitalization in higher education institutions and explores emerging trends in teaching practices and learning patterns. The study reveals a spike in publications in 2021-2022, likely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to online learning. The most active countries in publications on the subject are Russia and Germany accounting for more than 45% of articles. In addition, the analysis of bibliographic networks identified collaborations between authors and the most cited articles, while the analysis of key terms highlighted important research topics such as e-learning and digitalization. This bibliometric study sheds valuable light on an abundant field of research at the heart of the current transformations in higher education. However, additional analyses are needed to follow the rapid evolution of digital education in all its richness and diversity.

Academics’ practices and perceptions of career development learning in the curriculum

ABSTRACT Career development learning (CDL) equips students with the skills, knowledge and resources to navigate their careers amidst dynamic work and learning environments. While CDL is known to be facilitated by central careers services in higher education institutions, embedding CDL activities within the curriculum is purported to be an effective approach to generate meaningful reflections that prepare students for their future lives. This study examined academics’ perceptions and applications of CDL to understand the extent to which CDL is currently practiced in the curriculum. At one institution, interviews were conducted with 55 academics teaching across 101 subjects and in various disciplines. Findings demonstrate that most CDL is delivered informally or in isolation without a structured framework, highlighting the need to improve purposeful integration of CDL in the curriculum. Recommendations point to greater adoption of strategic institution-wide approaches to CDL, which ultimately impact students’ employability choices, career decision-making, and preparation for the workforce.

Employee Well-Being in Higher Educational Institutes of India –A Study of LPU Employees

With rising expectations for high-quality instruction, research output, and global competitiveness, India's higher education industry has seen significant change recently. Amidst these shifts, there is now more attention on the topic of employee well-being in higher education institutions. The nature of work in academia settings, with its high standards, demanding schedules, and frequently difficult workloads, calls for a closer look at the variables affecting the wellbeing of those who contribute to the mission of LPU using Lovely Professional University as an example, this case study offers a distinctive viewpoint on employee well-being in the context of Indian higher education. LPU's quick development, wide range of academia programmers, and dedication to building a lively community make it an engaging place to learn about the difficulties associated with employee well-being in the context of an evolving educational institution. In an environment where demands are high, and stress levels can be significant, prioritizing the wellbeing of faculty and staff is not just a moral support but also essential for maintaining productivity, creativity, and overall effectiveness organizational. Keywords: employee well-being, higher education, educational institutes.

Assessment Management in Higher Education

This paper presents key findings from a study conducted with several universities in the GCC region regarding their approach and use of e-Assessment within their learning environments. The study identifies key factors that could impact the use and quality of e-Assessment, and describe how those factors could influence forming a consistent and effective approach to employ a long-term e-Assessment approach. Data was collected from several higher education institutions in the GCC region, using an online survey, in-depth interviews with academic administrators, and direct observation. The study identifies six critical factors that may have a direct or indirect impact on forming a consistent and effective approach to employ a long-term e-Assessment approach. Moreover, the study reveals a strong correlation between e-Assessment quality, and the centralization of e-Assessment strategy, e-Assessment administration, and e-Assessment Technology.

The Development of Creative Potential as a Condition for the Formation of the Competitiveness of the Future Specialist

Relevance. New requirements for the training of students in higher educational institutions are that acquiring only specialized professional knowledge is no longer sufficient for a future competitive specialist. It is necessary to develop such individual abilities that significantly reveal his individuality and creative potential.Goal of the work. To determine pedagogical conditions that contribute to the development of the creative potential of future specialists as a factor in the formation of their competitiveness.Objectives of the research: Based on the analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature, to find out the essence and content of the basic concepts of the study “personal competitiveness,” creative potential”; to justify the pedagogical conditions for the development of the creative potential of future specialists in the sociocultural space of higher education.Methodology. During the scientific search, the following research methods were used: systemic, analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalization, comparison.Results. Based on the analysis of scientific sources, the concept of individual competitiveness is defined as a necessary set of professional and personal qualities that contribute to the possession of competitive advantages in current sociocultural conditions. The pedagogical conditions for the development of creative potential are determined as conditions for the formation of the competitiveness of a future specialist.Conclusions. Preparation for identifying and developing creative potential is possible provided that a creative learning environment is created that stimulates students' creative activity and students' motivation for creative activity.

Marketing odyssey for a digitally native brand: a case study of Sunbird Straws

Research methodology The case study incorporated a combination of primary and secondary data collection approach. The authors interviewed Dr Varghese, the co-founder of Sunbird Straws and the protagonist in this case study. In addition, secondary data was obtained from various sources such as newspaper articles, journal publications and company reports. Case overview/synopsis On a rosy and vibrant morning in 2017, Dr Saji Varghese, a professor at Christ University in Bangalore, stumbled upon a curved coconut leaf on the campus resembling a straw. This sparked his motivation to transform coconut leaves into a natural straw, prompting him to initiate experiments with coconut leaves in his kitchen. The process of boiling and straining leaves became his method for crafting an eco-friendly straw. After numerous attempts, he successfully produced straws from coconut leaves, introducing a distinctive and creative concept incubated at IIM Bangalore. These unique straws, crafted by Varghese, prioritised environmental friendliness and were also crafted entirely from biodegradable materials, free from harmful chemicals. These straws demonstrated durability in hot and cold beverages for up to 3 h, maintaining their integrity without becoming soggy or leaking. As the business flourished, it reached a critical juncture. The primary challenge centred around product marketing, mainly due to consumer unfamiliarity with such sustainable straws. This was a product that also fell under the category of low involvement for consumers. Raising awareness about the product and persuading consumers to purchase presented a significant hurdle. In response, Varghese assigned his team to develop cost-effective marketing strategies. Given the start-up nature of the business, advertising budgets were constrained, and the objective was to achieve a positive return on advertising spend for every investment in advertising the product. In addition, the focus was on increasing the likelihood of selling the straws on both business-to-business and business-to-consumer levels. In this case study, Varghese’s role and predicament exemplify the delicate equilibrium that entrepreneurs frequently grapple with, striking a balance between marketing strategy and return on ad spent to steer the trajectory of their businesses. It offered a valuable examination of the nuanced decisions marketers encounter as they strive for both profitability and customer-centric products. Complexity academic level The case study is relevant to the marketing discipline. All undergraduate and postgraduate-level marketing courses in higher education institutions can use this case study. It can also be used in integrated marketing communication or digital marketing classes. It can be used further in the hospitality and management fields. Also, online courses in marketing can include this case study.

Country-branded universities: a framework for country brand authenticity in transnational higher education

ABSTRACT Country-branded universities, which include a country in their name, are a type of higher education institution found in many countries globally. We consider these universities as transnational higher education institutions, for they ‘borrow’ or ‘transfer’ elements of the affiliated country across national borders. Surprisingly, there is very limited research on this phenomenon. The aims of this research are to identify what exactly in practice crosses national borders from the affiliated country to a country-branded university, and to develop a framework for country-brand authenticity in transnational higher education (TNHE). The data used in this research was provided by expert informants, who were individuals holding a senior or middle management position at a country-branded university. The proposed framework for country-brand authenticity in TNHE has four main dimensions, namely affiliated country connections; teaching and learning; governance and human resources; and student experience and development. These four dimensions are supported by eleven themes. The most often mentioned concepts were related to the curricula, pedagogy/didactics, and foreign accreditation themes. We offer suggestions for further research using our country-brand authenticity framework.

Exploring the effects of COVID-19-related traumatic events on the mental health of university students in Brazil: A cross-sectional investigation

University students are vulnerable to mental health issues during their academic lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students faced mental distress due to lockdowns and the transition to e-learning. However, it is not known whether these students were also affected specifically by COVID-19-related traumatic events. This study examined the impact of COVID-19-related traumatic events on 2277 university students from two federal institutions of higher education in Brazil. The university students completed an online questionnaire covering demographics, lifestyle habits, health characteristics, COVID-19-related traumatic events, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The results showed that an increased intensity of COVID-19-related traumatic events was positively associated with stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and each specific type of event was associated with these symptoms. In addition, we found a negative association between these symptoms and male sex and age and a positive association with having or having had a history of cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or mental disorders or another disease diagnosed by a physician. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the heightened risk of mental health issues in university students in the face of COVID-19-related traumatic events. Women, young people and people who have or have had a history of disease were the most vulnerable to mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.