scholarly journals Consequences of KPIs and performance management in higher education

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 881-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therése Kairuz ◽  
Lynn Andriés ◽  
Tracy Nickloes ◽  
Ilse Truter
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Management Systems ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The core business of universities is learning. Cognitive thinking is critical for learning and the development of new knowledge which are essential in higher education. Creative, reflective and critical thinking are negatively affected by unrealistic demands and stress. The purpose of this paper is to argue that key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance management are detrimental in the higher education sector, as they cause undue stress which impacts negatively on an essential criterion of academia, cognitive thinking. Design/methodology/approach – To explore this issue, the authors discuss the impact of stressful demands in the context of Australian higher education. The paper draws on literature that describes managerialism and on neuroscientific evidence to develop a hypothesis that supports a more holistic approach to human resources management of academics. Findings – Performance management and measures (including KPIs) add to the complex demands of academic work despite a lack of evidence that they are appropriate in the higher education sector. Originality/value – Performance management systems and KPIs undermine creative, reflective and critical thinking. Principles governing education should supersede the ever-growing emphasis that is being placed on quantitative measures and bureaucratic demands in higher education.

scholarly journals Evaluating service quality and performance of higher education institutions: a systematic review and a post-COVID-19 outlook

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Anthony Camilleri
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Services ◽  
Higher Educational ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to present a systematic review on service quality in higher education. It discusses about the latest opportunities and challenges facing higher educational institutions (HEIs) following the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The study relied on the grounded theory’s inductive reasoning to capture, analyze and synthesize the findings from academic and non-academic sources. The methodology involved a systematic review from Scopus-indexed journals, from intergovernmental and non-governmental policy documents, as well as from university ranking sites and league tables. Findings The comprehensive review suggests that HEIs can use different performance indicators and metrics to evaluate their service quality in terms of their resources, student-centered education, high-impact research and stakeholder engagement. Moreover, this paper sheds light about the impact of an unprecedented COVID-19 on higher education services. Practical implications During the first wave of COVID-19, the delivery of higher educational services migrated from traditional and blended learning approaches to fully virtual and remote course delivery. In the second wave, policy makers imposed a number of preventative measures, including social distancing and hygienic practices, among others, on HEIs. Originality/value This timely contribution has synthesized the findings on service quality and performance management in the higher education context. Furthermore, it investigated the effect of COVID-19 on higher education services. It deliberates on the challenges and responses in the short/medium term and provides a discussion on the way forward. In conclusion, it implies that HEI leaders ought to embrace online teaching models and virtual systems, as they are here to stay in a post-COVID-19 era.

scholarly journals Competence, performance and trainability of older workers of higher educational institutions in Malaysia

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junaidah Hashim ◽  
Saodah Wok
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Higher Educational Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Higher Educational ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the competence, performance, and trainability of older workers of higher educational institutions in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – Survey methods were used in this study. The survey measures were adopted from Rothwell (2002) and Sarmiento et al. (2007) for performance and competence, respectively, while trainability measurements were adopted from Maurer et al. (2008). The sample of 325 respondents consisted older workers in the higher education sector aged between 55 and 60 years old. Findings – Based on the assessments made by the older workers themselves and their superiors, it is found that the older workers are competent, performing well, and are trainable. The administrative older staff, however, were rated lower by the superior as compared to the academic older staff. This may be due to the fact that most of the assessors are academicians. Regardless of the category of the staff, performance of older workers is positively related to their competence and trainability. Research limitations/implications – Competence and trainability are important factors as they are found related to performance. This study focuses on education sector. It would be interesting to include older workers from other sectors because the education sector is perceived to be less physically demanding. Practical implications – This study provides valuable insights into considering of revising the retirement age of academician in higher education sector even higher. Age seems to be an advantage to this group of employees. Originality/value – This study is unique and significant because it focuses on important sector, i.e. higher education. It would reduce the knowledge gap in performance management of older workers especially in higher education sector.

Catch-22

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 78-87
Author(s):  
Thomas Kaarsted
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Management Systems ◽  
Research Libraries ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Catch 22 ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Services to researchers are a key strategic focus point for academic libraries. In many cases these services are linked to performance management systems. However, this kind of system for measuring scholarly research has unintended side effects and may demotivate researchers on a number of levels. This presents somewhat of a catch-22 for research libraries. The purpose of this paper is to describe the Bibliometric Research Indicator (BRI) in Denmark, show why the researchers may feel demotivated, outline the dilemmas and the effects on libraries, and present a possible course of action. Design/methodology/approach At least 14 countries have implemented performance management systems for researchers. The impact has been the topic of several – primarily quantitative – studies, e.g., in Denmark. The analysis is made by means of a qualitative study (interviews with 43 Danish researchers), using motivation crowding as well as self-determination theory to further explore their motives and experiences, to determine whether these factors have any influence on their experience of the BRI. Findings The analysis confirms earlier studies which showed that researchers as a whole do not see the BRI as supportive and that this kind of system may have unintended side effects. Unintended side effects include pressure, limitation of freedom, a drop in the perceived standard of research, the slicing of articles, negative collegial behavior as well as borderline academic theft. In connection researchers do not see the incentives or rewards given by the system as supportive. Research limitations/implications This BRI study is made within only one country and as these systems tend to vary not only from country to country but also with incomparability within faculties and institutes, further studies might expose different patterns. However, as the results fit a more general trend within the research area, the takeaways could potentially prove useful for research libraries in general. Furthermore it could be beneficial to research libraries in general to get a clearer understanding of the role they play, which in part could be done by surveying them on this subject. Practical implications The finding presents potential dilemmas for research libraries, as they might get caught in the crossfire between expectations or demands from the university management and the hope and dreams from individual scholars with the risk of unintentionally alienating a key target group. Thus, a possible course of action is outlined including focus points and target areas for libraries. Originality/value This paper presents original research with some key findings with a focus on the dilemmas for research libraries with regard to BRI-like systems, strategic management and performance measurement.

scholarly journals Happiness among higher education academicians: a demographic analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-17
Author(s):  
Ritu Gandhi Arora
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Happy Person ◽  
Younger Generation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose To deal with highly energetic younger generation patiently, need academicians who can spread happiness while teaching/mentoring are needed. This is possible when an academician himself is a happy person. This paper aims to explore the factors that generate happiness among academicians, studies the impact of demographic variables on academicians’ happiness and examines the relationship between academicians’ happiness and their performance. Design/methodology/approach Convenience purposive sampling method was used to obtain data through self-administered survey questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, delineating the research purpose and assurance of confidentiality. For data analysis, statistical techniques like mean, percentage method, Levene’s test, t-test and analysis of variance were used. To study the relationship between performance and happiness, the attitude, motivation and outcome theory was applied and happiness index was developed. Findings After analyzing the various factors impacting academicians’ happiness, this study found that except for work–life balance, research activities and working environment, all other factors are available to academicians according to their ranked importance assigned to them. This study also obtained a happiness index using matrix and has developed an equation which can be applied to find out the relationship between happiness and performance in future. Research limitations/implications This study has certain limitations, first, this study has been conducted on academicians working in higher education institutes situated in Delhi/NCR and thus entails a specific socio-cultural environment that may limit the potential level of generalization. Practical implications The results of this research might help institutes/higher education bodies to make rules and policies which may further augment academicians’ happiness to accomplish their desired goals. Social implications An academician who is happy, satisfied and motivated can easily deal with today's enthusiastic younger generation and can spread happiness amongst them. so it is very much necessary for an academician to be happy and energetic all the time. Originality/value This study found the factors impacting higher education academicians’ happiness and its impact on their teaching performance.

scholarly journals “It's a very different world”: work transition and employability of higher education graduates

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sílvia Monteiro ◽  
Leandro Almeida ◽  
Adela García-Aracil
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Transition ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study addresses the specific topic of transition between higher education and the world of work, taking differences naturally inherent to the individual and to the surrounding micro and macro contexts. With a holistic approach, this paper aimed to provide a deeper understanding about the university-to-work transition process in a period of turbulence and continuous changes in the labour market.Design/methodology/approachThe three research questions that guide this qualitative study are as follows: (1) What are the factors that facilitate the transition to the labour market? (2) What are the factors that constrain the transition to the labour market? (3) What are graduates' perceptions of their employability? To answer these questions, eleven graduates were interviewed about facilitators and barriers of the transition process and perceptions of employability. Data collected from the interviews were then related to categories previously defined from the literature review. Version 12.0 of the NVivo software was used to support the process of data analysis.FindingsOverall, participants' discourse refer to a multidimensional and dynamic perspective of factors related with work transition and employability. The obtained results indicate that the lack of career agency during graduation and professional experiences, together with late career exploration processes, represent possible barriers of transition, especially in study fields with targeted job offers. Likewise, experiences promoting the development of competencies through supportive practice from teachers, mentors and colleagues are referred as facilitators of transition.Practical implicationsOne of the most consistent outcomes of the interviews conducted concerns the importance of a stronger focus on developing practical experiences during higher education studies. This empirical study demonstrated how this type of experience can mitigate the impact of the transition from university to the labour market.Originality/valueThis empirical study demonstrated how work being integrated into learning in curricula can mitigate the impact of the transition from university to the labour market. It offers important insights about possible strategies that could be adopted to promote graduates' employability from a perspective of shared responsibility.

Universities as inclusive learning organizations for women?

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Gouthro ◽  
Nancy Taber ◽  
Amanda Brazil
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Learning Organizations ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Inclusive Learning ◽  
Academic Faculty ◽  
Critical Feminist ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of the learning organization, first discussed by Senge (1990), to determine if it can work as a model in the higher education sector. Design/methodology/approach Using a critical feminist framework, this paper assesses the possibilities and challenges of viewing universities as inclusive learning organizations, with a particular focus on women in academic faculty and leadership roles. Findings It argues that, ultimately, the impact of neoliberal values and underlying systemic structures that privilege male scholars need to be challenged through shifts in policies and practices to address ongoing issues of gender inequality in higher education. Originality/value The paper draws attention to the need to bring a critical feminist lens to an analysis of the concept of the learning organization if it is to be perceived as having merit in the higher education sector.

scholarly journals The neoliberal reality of higher education in Australia: how accountingisation is corporatising knowledge

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Martin-Sardesai ◽  
James Guthrie AM ◽  
Lee Parker
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The Impact

Purpose As accounting academics, the authors know that performance measurement is well-trodden ground in the literature. Yet rarely have they turned their gaze inwards to examine the performance controls which they are subject to in the own everyday working life. Over the past 40 years, the rise of the New Public Management paradigm and neoliberalism has intensified changes in the way universities, disciplines and individual academics justify the quality of their work. This paper aims to explore the impact of accountingisation on the field and the Australian public sector higher education sector. Design/methodology/approach The perceptions of accounting academics in Australia’s 37 business faculties and schools were collected via an online survey. Additionally, a document analysis of annual reports, internal reports, strategy documents and other confidential material were also used. Findings The changes have included the use of corporate and individual research metrics aimed at increasing institutional status, brand reputation and revenue generation. These changes have transformed business schools and universities into commercial enterprises and commoditised education. What this analysis demonstrates is the apparent relationship between various government agendas, the commercialisation of universities and the distortion of the research activities by individual academics. For increased profits and efficiencies, individual scholars have paid the highest price. Practical implications If the accounting discipline is to be sustainable in the long term, business schools in Australia must reconfigure their performance measurement systems. Originality/value To date, research on “accountingisation” has previously been primarily conducted in the health and social services sectors. This research raises rarely heard voices to expose the actual social and human costs of accountingisation in Australia’s higher education sector.

The role of job involvement and career commitment between person–job fit and organizational commitment: a study of higher education sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-130
Author(s):  
Jeevan Jyoti ◽  
Poonam Sharma ◽  
Sumeet Kour ◽  
Harleen Kour
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Career Commitment ◽  
Job Involvement ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeOrganizations try to appoint individuals who fit in with their values and goals. Employees who do not fit in with the organization's core values and goals prefer not to stay on for a longer period of time. The present study is an attempt to explore the impact of person–job (P–J) fit on organizational commitment through job involvement and career commitment with an application of a serial multiple mediation model.Design/methodology/approachData have been collected through a structured questionnaire. The population comprised the teachers, working in the higher education sector. The different constructs used have been duly validated with the help of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Further data reliability and scale validity have been checked too. In order to test the serial multiple mediation model, the authors adopted a regression-based approach and bootstrapping method suggested by Hayes (2012; 2013). Accordingly, PROCESS developed by Hayes (2012) has been used.FindingsThe results revealed that job involvement and career commitment mediate the relationship between P–J fit and organizational commitment individually as well as together.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is confined to government degree colleges only. The element of subjectivity might not have been checked completely as teachers have responded on the basis of their own experience and perceptions regarding the items in the questionnaire. The study is cross sectional in nature.Practical implicationsThe paper addresses the interest of wide spectrum of stakeholders including the management, organizations and employees. So, the authors have extended general implications, which are for all those organizations that want to improve person–organization (P–O) fit and commitment of their employees. These implications will help organizations to take specific initiatives to improve the P–J fit of their employees, which will subsequently enhance their commitment level.Originality/valueThe findings of the present study will help the stakeholders in the higher education sector to identify best employees and undertake the initiatives to generate better job involvement and commitment, which will be a win–win strategy for both (employees as well as the organizations).

Frontline managers' implementation of the formal and informal performance management systems

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Yi Lee ◽  
Keith Townsend ◽  
Adrian Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Frontline Employees ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Management Systems ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Frontline Managers ◽  
Primary Contribution

PurposeThe implementation of performance management is the responsibility of managers; more importantly, a key part of a frontline manager's role is ensuring that frontline employees are performing by meeting organisational goals. Existing research has shown a lack of focus on the role of frontline managers in the implementation of performance management systems despite plenty of research on the separate topics of frontline managers and performance management. This article aims to understand how frontline managers connect the intended performance management system, through components and processes developed by the human resources department and higher levels of management, with their employees' performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a qualitative method, conducting semi-structured interviews with 57 participants from two Singapore public sector organisations to understand the interaction between the formal and informal performance management systems.FindingsThe authors found that frontline managers used the formal and informal performance management systems in the organisation to manage the demands of their role. Notably, the expectations that superiors and subordinates have heavily influences how the frontline managers choose to implement their performance management responsibilities.Originality/valueThe article uses systems theory to illustrate and explain the complex and dynamic nature of PM in practice through the FLM's implementation of the formal and informal PM systems. The primary contribution of the study is through demonstrating under what situations do frontline managers use the formal and informal performance systems in a complementary manner within the constraints placed on them.

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