Private Higher Education Sector Research Articles

The Employee Engagement’s Impact on Productivity and Motivation in the Private higher education Sector in Oman

Employee engagement in the workplace implies that employees are committed to their respective organizational vision, mission, and goals, thereby becoming more engaged, and motivated to contribute to organizational success. Similarly, engaged professional staff in Oman’s higher education sector experience job satisfaction, involvement, commitment, and empowerment, thereby enhancing education quality. Employee engagement has gained significant attention from scholars and practitioners due to its positive impact on personal and organizational well-being. Thus, this study aims to explore the effect of employee engagement on productivity and motivation in Oman’s private higher education sector and determine the success factors for organizations in maintaining employee engagement. The literature review reveals that the working environment, leadership style, and creative work approach tend to influence employee engagement in Oman’s private higher education sector. Therefore, secondary findings reveal the impact of different motivations and productivity on employee engagement through social exchange theory.

The Influence of Employee Involvement in Analytical Decision Making on Employee Creativity: A Case Study of Higher Education in Oman

To better prepare students for the workforce, Oman's private higher education sector is experiencing a transition to keep up with global trends and industry collaborations. This is with the goal of better-preparing students for the workforce. In a landscape currently defined by fierce competition, this underscores the importance of differentiating oneself from the competition. In the private higher education sector in Oman, this study aims to investigate the relationship between employee engagement, analytical decision-making, and employee innovation. Specifically, the study will focus on the private sector. The total number of questionnaire responses is 308, which is the final analysis. We can conclude that analytical decision-making acts as a mediator between employee involvement and creativity based on the facts that we have uncovered. To add insult to injury, each and every one of the ideas that were put out was discovered to be supported. The findings of this study contribute to a better knowledge of the creative potential of personnel working in the private higher education industry. Additionally, the findings provide suggestions for improvements to regulations that are currently in place.

The mediation effect of trust and justice on the relationship between servant leadership and employee job satisfaction: an empirical findings from private universities in Kuwait

PurposeHigher education institutions now place a greater emphasis on servant leadership, organizational trust, and justice. This study evaluates the function of organizational and leader trust and justice in mediating the relationship between employee job satisfaction and servant leadership in Kuwait's private universities.Design/methodology/approachEmployees from two private higher education sectors in Kuwait provided 205 valid responses to the study's closed-ended survey, which was given to 240 workers. The job satisfaction and servant leadership, leader's trust and justice and servant leadership, leader's trust and justice and job satisfaction, and the mediating effect of trust and justice on the relationship between servant leadership and job satisfaction among employees in Kuwait's private universities—all four variables—were examined using the simple random procedure method. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.FindingsThe findings provide evidence supporting the positive effects of servant leadership on employee job satisfaction. Moreover, it provided evidence supporting the positive relationship between servant leadership and organizational trust and justice. The findings also showed a positive correlation between organizational trust and justice and job satisfaction among staff members working in Kuwait's private higher education sector. Additionally, the results provided a partial mediation effect of organizational trust and justice on the relationship between servant leadership and employee job satisfaction.Originality/valueEmployee job satisfaction, performance, engagement, and outcomes within Kuwait's private higher education sector are significantly improved by the adoption of a servant leadership style, together with organizational and leader’s trust and justice. The findings demonstrate the significance of the servant leadership style in this industry's leadership habits for raising worker job satisfaction.

The determinants of recommendation intention and student satisfaction in private higher institutions: Empirical evidence from Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT Student satisfaction and loyalty are crucial metrics for assessing the quality of education in universities. Despite their importance, these aspects have received limited attention within the private higher education sector in Kazakhstan. Our study addresses this gap by applying customer satisfaction models to identify the critical factors influencing student satisfaction at a leading Kazakhstani private university. We developed a comprehensive research framework that includes the university's institutional capabilities, the social environment, and students’ perceptions of the university's ethos. A survey conducted with 129 undergraduate students revealed that institutional capabilities and students’ perceptions of the university's ethos play a pivotal role in fostering satisfaction, which, in turn, enhances their likelihood to recommend the institution. Our research offers valuable insights and a strategic framework for private universities in Kazakhstan to improve their educational services, thereby increasing student satisfaction, loyalty, and ensuring the institution's long-term success.

The Effect of Employee Involvement Participation in Directive Decision Making and its Impact on Employees Creativity: A Case Study of Higher Education in Oman

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand how the private higher education sector in Oman is adapting to global trends and industrial partnerships to prepare students for the workforce. Specifically, it aims to explore the relationship between employee involvement in participation, directorial decision-making, and employee innovation in this context, and how these factors contribute to differentiating institutions in a competitive environment. Method: This study employs quantitative analysis to investigate the relationships between employee involvement, directed decision-making, and innovation within Oman's private higher education sector. Through the use of surveys and statistical methods, the study explores how directorial decision-making moderates the link between employee involvement and creativity. Results and Conclusion: The findings suggest that directorial decision-making plays a significant moderating role in the relationship between employee involvement and creativity. All proposed hypotheses were supported, indicating a positive correlation between employee participation in decision-making processes and innovation. These results underscore the importance of directorial strategies that encourage employee involvement as a catalyst for creativity within the sector. Originality/Value: This study contributes uniquely to the body of knowledge on employee creativity in the private higher education industry by highlighting the critical role of leadership decision-making styles in fostering an innovative work environment. It provides empirical evidence supporting the need for policy reforms that encourage participative decision-making processes, thereby enhancing the sector's competitiveness and its ability to meet the demands of the global workforce. Through its insights, the study offers a foundation for further research and policy development aimed at nurturing innovation in higher education.

Legitimacy deficits in the private higher education sector: categories in evaluating Russian universities

ABSTRACT This paper explores the regulators’ perspective and demonstrates how legitimacy deficits of private universities outweigh performance results in decisions regarding university inspections. We examined the period when the regulator had an urgent claim on Russian universities, particularly during the campaign to ‘clean the system of higher education’ announced in 2013. The Russian case of delayed regulation provides a unique natural phenomenon for studying how evaluators choose which universities to inspect. This study relies on administrative data on university inspections, which are merged with the results of annual evaluations of universities conducted by the Ministry from 2013 to 2016, encompassing 8227 cases. Our findings indicate that private universities and their branches are more likely to undergo inspection than public HEIs, even after considering information about their performance results. For state officials, private institutions exemplify market logic, which is seen as a competing rule of the game to state logic. These results suggest that organizational categories hold considerable promise for further research as they may contribute to understanding how universities are evaluated and scrutinized, a phenomenon typically considered as driven by performance-based criteria.

Total Quality Management and Corporate Social Responsibility (TQM-CSR) Measurement Items Design and Pilot Test

Objectives: This study aims to design and validate integrated TQM-CSR practices for Private Higher Education Institutions in the UAE, enhancing institutional excellence and stakeholder satisfaction. Methods: An empirical study was conducted, involving 30 Private Higher Education Institutions in the UAE. The methodology included survey-based data collection, statistical analysis, and reliability testing (Cronbach's alpha). Key modifications included the refinement of the TQM-CSR practices measurement scale, through outer loading analysis and item elimination. Findings: The study revealed strong consensus on the effectiveness of integrated TQM-CSR practices in PHEIs, with average scores between 3.77 and 4.22. Particularly effective were practices in Social and Legal Concerns and Educational Services Improvement. The robustness of these practices was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.826 to 0.927. The analysis led to the removal of less effective items (CIP5, SFS5), refining the measurement scale. These findings offer significant insights for educational administrators on improving quality management and social responsibility, diverging from and enriching existing literature. Novelty: This study pioneers in empirically validating TQM-CSR integration for quality management and social responsibility in UAE's private higher education sector. Keywords: Total Quality Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Higher Education, Measurement Development, UAE

Empowering human potential and fostering values: A vision for private higher education in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the empowerment of human potential and how it fosters values in Private Higher Education in Malaysia. Due to the high demand for postsecondary education, the private higher education sector is experiencing fierce competition, making strategic communication more crucial. The study employs a quantitative approach with a sample size of 24 respondents, namely academic and non-academic staff from private higher education institutions in Malaysia, where a statistical analysis was performed using SMART-PLS. The study employed a random sampling method to gather samples from private higher education institutions in Malaysia. The results of the analysis indicated that talent does not influence strategic communication positively. The β value result of this variable is 0.767, the t value is 1.730, and the p-value of 0.084 did not meet the benchmark where the t value is less than 1.96 and the p-value is less than 0.05. The results of human values also do not influence strategic communication positively. The β value is 0.007, the t value is 0.021, and the p-value of 0.983 again did not meet the benchmark for the t value and the p-value. The findings of this study pave the way for future research on strategic communication in private higher education institutions and provide practitioners with actionable mechanisms to enhance this area of practice. This research concludes that strategic communication plays a crucial role in the private higher education sector and that talent and human values are crucial to achieving successful communication strategies.

Determining Levels of Satisfaction with Online Learning at Private Higher Education in London

The purpose is to investigate and understand the satisfaction levels of mature undergraduate students engaging in online learning within the context of private higher education institutions in London. As the landscape of higher education evolves, with an increasing reliance on online platforms, it is crucial to explore how this mode of education aligns with the unique needs and expectations of mature learners pursuing undergraduate degrees. The study employs a structured survey instrument to collect data on various dimensions of satisfaction, aiming to provide valuable insights into the factors influencing mature undergraduate students' experiences in online learning. The research methodology involves a survey administered to a diverse sample of mature undergraduate students in private higher education institutions offering online programmes. The survey encompasses questions about overall satisfaction, determinants of satisfaction, interactivity engagement, support services, technical training and demographic variations. Data analysis involves applying statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, to draw meaningful conclusions regarding the satisfaction levels of mature undergraduate students with online learning. The anticipated findings of this research have the potential to inform private higher education institutions, educators, and policymakers about the specific areas of online learning that contribute most significantly to mature undergraduate student satisfaction. Identifying strengths and areas for improvement will enable institutions to tailor their online learning environments to meet this demographic's needs better. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse surrounding enhancing online education experiences for mature undergraduate students in the private higher education sector. Keywords: Mature Undergraduate Students, Online Learning, Student Satisfaction, Private Higher Education

Analysis of the role of servant leadership on employee’s job satisfaction mediated by leader-member exchange style among employees in the private higher education sector in Kuwait

A growing body of literature explores the underlying mechanisms and processes that enable servant leadership to impact organizational performance, engagement, and outcomes positively. This research assesses the mediation role of leader-member exchange between servant leadership and job satisfaction among employees in Kuwait's universities. The study utilized a closed-ended survey that was distributed to 240 workers, with 205 valid responses received from employees working in two private higher education sectors in Kuwait. using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. The outcomes of the study demonstrated strong backing for the beneficial influence of servant leadership on leader-member exchange and job satisfaction. Furthermore, a positive correlation was established between leader-member exchange and job satisfaction among employees employed in Kuwait's private higher education sector. Moreover, the results partially validated the mediating effect of leader-member exchange in the relationship between servant leadership and employee job satisfaction. These results underscore the significance of integrating servant leadership principles into leadership approaches within this sector to improve employee satisfaction and overall organizational achievement.

Analysis of the role of servant leadership on employee’s job satisfaction mediated by leader-member exchange style among employees in the private higher education sector in Kuwait

A growing body of literature explores the underlying mechanisms and processes that enable servant leadership to impact organizational performance, engagement, and outcomes positively. This research assesses the mediation role of leader-member exchange between servant leadership and job satisfaction among employees in Kuwait's universities. The study utilized a closed-ended survey that was distributed to 240 workers, with 205 valid responses received from employees working in two private higher education sectors in Kuwait. using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. The outcomes of the study demonstrated strong backing for the beneficial influence of servant leadership on leader-member exchange and job satisfaction. Furthermore, a positive correlation was established between leader-member exchange and job satisfaction among employees employed in Kuwait's private higher education sector. Moreover, the results partially validated the mediating effect of leader-member exchange in the relationship between servant leadership and employee job satisfaction. These results underscore the significance of integrating servant leadership principles into leadership approaches within this sector to improve employee satisfaction and overall organizational achievement.

A Study of the Mediating Effect of Work Stress on Work-life Conflict and Turnover Intention in the Private Higher Education Sector in India

The main focus of this study is to analyze the impact of work-life conflict on turnover intention and examine the impact of work stress as a mediating variable among the teaching employees of private higher education institutions. The current study drew upon samples of 145 teaching employees of private higher education institutions in the education sector of Haryana. A questionnaire was administered to gather the necessary information. Data was evaluated by using the Smart PLS (v.3.2.9) software. In addition, structural equation modeling was conducted to achieve the study’s objectives, and SPSS 25 software was used to compute the demographic profile of teaching employees. The findings indicated that the turnover intention of teaching employees is positively associated with work-life conflict and work stress. In addition, work stress as an intervening variable positively and significantly impacts kinship amid work-life conflict and turnover intention. The teaching employees like to stay in their institutions if there is no work stress. The main concern is not only reducing the work stress of teaching employees but also reforming the quality and level (of work), so they can have less work-life conflict, thus reducing turnover intentions. To dwindle job-related stressors and work-life conflict among employees, various family-friendly benefits and job stress management policies may provide the benefits. This study enhances the understanding of work-life conflicts and work stress. Further, it also has taken into account some antecedents of work-life conflict and work stress, which will aid researchers and academicians in comprehending their impact on turnover intention. The current study has discussed limitations and future directions.

A Study of Influenced Factors toward Student Loyalty Among Private Universities in Kedah

Up to half of Malaysia's private higher education institutions could be forced to close if the country's private higher education sector were to collapse, leaving only those with substantial financial support to remain open. More than half of the country's small businesses have shut down due to the Covid-19 coronavirus, which has almost likely pushed the country into recession. This has worsened the prognosis for the already troubled university sector. Hence, student loyalty is another proven solution in combating these challenges. The purpose of this research is to look into and analyse the impact of service quality, university image, student satisfaction, and loyalty at private universities in Kedah, Malaysia. As this paper is a pilot study, therefore 150 questionnaires were distributed to target respondents. SPSS was used to analyse the 86 samples of private university students in the northern region of Malaysia. Findings postulate that only service quality, commitment and satisfaction affect a loyalty among private university student in northern region. This study helps institutions, teachers, and policymakers understand what makes private university students want for them to keep loyal with the universities.

Measuring Student Satisfaction Using Decision Tree Algorithm in Private Higher Education England

The primary purpose of this study was to assess student satisfaction variables and their association with overall satisfaction. All Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), regardless of whether public or private, have rigorous processes in place to measure student satisfaction. In addition, they focus on student satisfaction with their learning and teaching and the provision of facilities and resources. This quantitative study aimed to test a single hypothesis regarding student satisfaction variables with overall student satisfaction. The online survey was conducted using Google Forms to collect data from 2010 students studying in a large private higher education institution in England. The data were quantitatively analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The hypothesis testing results found a significant positive association between all independent variables and overall satisfaction. This study was limited to students in the private higher education sector. However, other students in public HEIs could be included to compare their satisfaction levels. Keywords: Student Satisfaction, Decision Tree Algorithm, Private Higher Education

The Effects of Quality of Work-Life on Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction on the Employees in Private Higher Education Sector

The Effects of Quality of Work-Life on Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction on the Employees in Private Higher Education Sector

Social Media Advertising Persuasion on Mature Students’ Buying Behaviour: A Neural Network Validation Approach

The primary purpose of this study was to examine social media advertising's persuasive power on mature students' purchasing behaviour. Social Media (SM) has become an integral part of daily life as a source of inspiration, entertainment, shopping, news and information. SM has a profound impact on consumer behaviour. Furthermore, SM allows companies to communicate better with their consumers and strengthen their associations. The advertising world has not been spared by social media influence. Companies are now more careful with social media advertising, significantly predicting consumer responses and behaviour and avoiding unexpected blunders to prevent a viral consumer backlash on networking sites. This quantitative study aimed to test two hypotheses regarding social media advertising persuasion on mature students' buying behaviour. First, an online survey was conducted using Google Forms to collect data from mature students studying in a private higher education institution in England. Second, we validated the regression results using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach. Data were quantitatively analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and RStudio. The hypothesis testing results showed time spent on social media to be significantly associated with social media advertising persuasion. Furthermore, the neural network results confirmed the logistic model and suggested that mature students who found social media advertisements useful, persuasive and helpful in making decisions were more likely to purchase products online. In conclusion, social media advertising is one of the major driving forces behind user purchases of goods and services in the current environment. Social media advertising was collectively analysed and did not consider the number of different social media types, which could be investigated individually. Furthermore, this investigation only considered mature students in the private higher education sector. However, other traditional students in the public higher education sector with their attitudes toward social media advertising persuasion and their purchase behaviour could also be examined. Keywords: Social Media Advertising, Persuasion, Buying Behaviour, Mature Students

Occupational Commitment in Private Higher Education Sector: Work-Life Balance, Job Burnout and the Mediating Effect of Supportive Culture

This study aims to study the effect of occupational commitment (OC) toward work-life balance (WLB) and job burnout with the mediating effect of a supportive culture (SC) in the context of employees in the private higher education sector in Malaysia. This paper adopted a purposive sampling technique among academics in private higher education in Malaysia. A quantitative approach using Partial Least Square PLS-SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) method was applied to analyse the data. The results show that OC is positively related to SC and SC has a high potential for lowering job burnout. The study also found that SC positively affects WLB. Furthermore, SC was found to elucidate the effect between OC, WLB and job burnout among employees in the private higher education sector. The study has two major theoretical implications. The study reaffirms the existing theory by demonstrating that OC, WLB, and job burnout are significantly related through support culture as a mediator. In addition, the study extends the existing theory by putting forward that understanding the effect of OC on employees' work behaviour in the private higher education research model can account for the variations in different sectors and contexts.

Impact of job satisfaction on turnover intention among academic personnel of private higher education sector in Iraq

The aim of this research is to find, test, and explore the relationship between employee's job satisfaction and turnover intention among the academic personnel of Tishk International University in Erbil, to find whether there is a relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention and whether job satisfaction predicts turnover intention or not. The study consisted of 98 samples chosen randomly from Tishk International University academic employees, and correlation and regression analysis were used to interpret the collected data. As a result, we have found a robust negative relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention, and job satisfaction can significantly predict turnover intention.

The Role of Digital Nudging and Gender on Students’ Online Commitment during Digitalization: The Private Higher Education Sector

Students’ commitment has been a concern for educational institutions, especially during the pandemic and due to the digital transformation. Accordingly, this research investigates the impact of academic self-efficacy on satisfaction and students’ online commitment.

Emergence of Private Higher Education in Algeria: Actors and Pathways

Abstract Since gaining independence, the higher education sector in Algeria has undergone several reforms to fulfil the country’s requirements in terms of higher education, both to absorb the growing number of high-school graduates and meet the needs of the labour market. The emergence of a private higher education sector in Algeria has been slow in comparison to European countries, the United States, Japan and our culturally/historically-similar neighbouring countries (Tunisia and Morocco). This article reveals the results of research conducted on the context, governance and development of private higher education in Algeria. To achieve the objectives of our research, the study was conducted on five recently-accredited private higher education institutions through field observation, documentary analysis and interviews with executives, teachers and students at these institutions. The main results of the qualitative research suggest that private higher education continues to evolve through a transitional phase characterised by a gradual integration into the socio-economic framework of the country. Through these results, we contribute firstly on a theoretical and academic level by conducting the first research on the private sector of higher education in Algeria; secondly, on a practical level, by providing a clear and comprehensive view of the situation of the emerging private sector in Algeria.