Signaling sustainability: impact that learning how to report has on enrollment, endowment and emissions of North American higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel C. Minutolo ◽  
Albena Ivanova ◽  
Michelle Cong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Reporting Mechanism ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model assessing the frequency and timing between reports on the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) reporting the framework by higher education institutions (HEIs) and the relationship between the STARS score and reputation (enrollment), finances (endowment) and performance (emissions). Design/methodology/approach The development of the theoretical model is based on learning, signaling and legitimacy theories. This study collects data from the AASHE STARS to indicate the rating level of 202 HEIs, control variables, enrollment, endowments and emissions. The hypotheses were tested using generalized linear models. Findings Findings suggest that as HEIs report on their sustainability activity, they learn to report better but that there is also an “un-learning” aspect if the HEI skips reporting in a period. The results support the main hypothesis that there is a relationship between reporting and engagement with the HEIs in the form of enrollment and endowments. Finally, the findings provide evidence that the HEIs’ reporting is associated with a reduction in emissions. Practical implications The findings suggest that HEIs should develop a reporting strategy on a standardized framework such as AASHE STARs and they ought to codify the approach to learn from prior reporting. Students and alumni are increasingly seeking to engage the HEI in the sustainability process and the report is a mechanism for signaling activities. Social implications The findings suggest that AASHE STARS scores may be used by HEIs as a signaling mechanism to stakeholders of their commitment to sustainability. The signal is a mechanism to reduce information asymmetry between the HEI and stakeholders who may want more information on the institution’s attempts toward sustainability but lack access to information. Further, HEI partners have a mechanism to assess the overall level of commitment of the HEI toward sustainability and can, therefore, engage accordingly. Originality/value There has been significant work on signaling theory and sustainability. However, the relationship between STARs reporting as a signal that legitimates the HEI, learning how to report well and HEI performance has received less attention. The current study demonstrates that the STARS framework as a reporting mechanism signals the HEIs’ level of commitment to sustainability thereby legitimating it resulting in improved performance.

Quality assurance systems: enemies or allies of innovation in higher education institutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Ferreira de Mello Silva ◽  
Eduardo Raupp de Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Innovation In Higher Education

Purpose This study aims to examine the extant literature to analyze the relationship between quality assurance (QA) and innovation in the higher education context. Design/methodology/approach This study selected 63 articles through a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science databases and performed a descriptive and thematic synthesis-analysis on the sample. Findings The research identifies several perspectives discussed on QA systems covering experiences, criticisms and practice implications. The literature review shows there is no clear consensus on whether innovation in higher education institutions (HEIs) is fostered or hindered by QA processes. However, it seems that the likelihood of innovativeness and positive QA outcomes are directly linked to how these processes are managed in universities. Research limitations/implications This review highlights the university management concerns that emerge with QA issues as it is not yet clear to what extent innovation is actually promoted in scenarios where QA is applied. Hence, this literature review could be considered comprehensive but not exhaustive. Further studies are recommended to improve the understanding of how HEIs can both innovate and ensure quality at the same time. Originality/value The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by advancing the opportunities and challenges that HEIs face due to QA system features.

Impact of organizational politics on employee work outcomes in higher education institutions of Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asrar-ul-Haq ◽  
Hafiz Yasir Ali ◽  
Sadia Anwar ◽  
Anam Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Badr Iqbal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Job Stress ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Organizational Politics ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Employee Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Organizational politics has been a topic of conceptual and empirical interest for researchers and practitioners for many years. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between organizational politics and employee work outcomes in educational institutions. In addition, this paper also aims to assess the moderating role of social capital. Design/methodology/approach Employee perceptions about organizational politics and its impact on their work outcomes have been assessed empirically with a sample of 270 full-time employees in higher education institutions of Pakistan. The data have been collected from faculty members of five universities of Pakistan using survey method. SPSS and AMOS have been used to analyze the data and SEM has been used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results indicate a moderating effect of social capital on the relationship between perceived organizational politics and employee outcomes, and the most significant employee outcomes are job stress, job satisfaction and turnover intentions. The findings of the study support the view that organizational politics has negative association with employee job stress and turnover intentions. Research limitations/implications Higher education sector in Pakistan is facing certain challenges, which affect talent retention. The findings of this study will help the administration of higher education institutions to develop effective strategies to cope with the challenges of organizational politics, such as motivation, satisfaction and retention of their employees. Originality/value The study adds to the literature on organizational politics by highlighting and validating its adverse effects on employee work outcomes in the context of Pakistani higher education.

Adapting Altman's model to predict the performance of the Palestinian industrial sector

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahaa Awwad ◽  
Bahaa Razia
Keyword(s):  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study aims to adopt the Altman model in order to predict the performance of industrial companies listed on the Palestinian Stock Exchange during the period of time between 2013 and 2017.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consisted of 12 industrial companies listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange, and their financial disclosure period extended for 5 years. Multiple linear regression model was used in the analysis to determine the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable where the independent variables were (X1, X2, X3). This study is based on one basic assumption, which is that the Altman's model cannot predict the performance of the Palestinian industrial sector.FindingsThe results of the analysis proved the negation of the zero main hypothesis. This means that Altman's model can predict the performance of the Palestinian industrial sector at the level of statistical significance (a = 0.05), as well as the existence of a statistically significant relationship between each of the independent variables (X2, X4, X5) and the dependent variable (Log (Z-score)). Hence, the relationship of X1 and X3 with the dependent variable was not statistically significant.Social implicationsThis paper highlights different challenges that face the adaption of Atman's model and performance prediction in the Palestinian industrial sector. The findings of the analysis have the potential to help future researchers in examining and dealing with new challenges.Originality/valueThis paper presents a vital review of adopting Altman's model in the Palestinian industrial sector. A number of recommendations have been made, the most important of which is that most of the companies are located in the red zone. The Altman's model must be adapted in order to fit the Palestinian environment according to the results of statistical analysis and according to a proposed model, which is Log (Z) = −0.653 + 0.72X2 + 0.18X4 + 0.585X5.

Demonstrating the motivational scale for commitments toward teachers’ turnover intentions using self-determination theory: a case of higher education institutions in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayeda Zeenat Maryam ◽  
Fouzia Ali ◽  
Mehvish Rizvi ◽  
Sadia Farooq
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper aims to demonstrate the turnover intentions (TIs) among the academic faculty of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan through their motivation and commitment toward the concerned institution. It inspects the relationship of dimensions of motivation including an absence of motivation (AM), extrinsic motivation (ExM) and intrinsic motivation (InM) with the dimensions of commitment including affective commitment (AC), continuous commitment (CC) and normative commitment (NC) and finally the academic's TIs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used the self-determination theory (SDT), the theory of organizational commitment (OC) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for its proposed model. A sample of 500 academics, working under higher education commission recognized public and private universities in Punjab Pakistan. A structural equation modeling (SEM) conducted for analysis using an algorithm, bootstrapping and blindfolding techniques.FindingsThe outcomes of the research are attention-grabbing, as no direct relationship has been observed between the dimensions of motivation and TIs except InM. The dimensions of commitments are mediating the relationship between motivation and TIs with high significance value. The results reveal a significant adverse effect on TIs through two dimensions of commitment.Research limitations/implicationsAs it is the case of a developing country like Pakistan therefore the finding cannot generalize to developed countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research may lead the policymakers and practitioners of HEIs and controlling body to retain their competent teachers.Social implicationsThis research can help the private sector to develop strategies about the retention of their competent teachers within the institutions that not just value the institution but also will be much beneficial for the students and society.Originality/valueThis paper is identifying how motivation is related to TIs and the role of commitment in it at HEIs. Still, no research has been conducted considering this avenue of SDT, OC and TPB

Training and development climate and administrative employees' productivity in higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tristen Balwant ◽  
Rebecca Mohammed ◽  
Riann Singh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Supervisor Support ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Employee Productivity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Administrative Employees ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to investigate mediating mechanisms in the relationship between the training and development climate at higher education institutions and administrative employees' productivity. Organizational identification theory and the job demands-resources model are used to investigate supervisor support, employees' motivation to learn and employee engagement as mediators.Design/methodology/approachSurvey research was used to collect data from 289 administrative staff members employed at five higher education institutions in Trinidad and Tobago.FindingsThe findings supported the hypothesized mediating role of supervisor support, employees' motivation to learn and employee engagement in the relationship between organizations' training and development climate and employee productivity.Social implicationsProductivity is a major problem in Trinidad and Tobago. In Trinidad and Tobago's higher education sector, productivity deficiencies are particularly problematic because of the gradual reduction in government subsidies. Therefore, higher education institutions must improve productivity, particularly administrative employees' productivity, in order to compete with local and international tertiary education institutions. This study contributes to Trinidad and Tobago's society by showing the importance of both a positive training and development climate and supervisor support to influence administrative employees' affective states and productivity in tertiary education institutions.Originality/valueThis study adds to existing research on training and development and employee productivity by introducing novel and theoretically sound mediators to clarify how the relationship between a higher education institution's training and development climate and its administrative employees' productivity unfolds.

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.

The mediating effect of service quality and organizational commitment on the effect of management process alignment on higher education performance in Makassar, Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 410-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumardi Fernandes ◽  
Adji Achmad Rinaldo Adji Achmad Rinaldo
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Educational Performance ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
High Educational ◽  
Process Alignment

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between management process alignment, service quality, organizational commitment and high educational performance. Design/methodology/approach The population of this study was all higher education institutions which provide undergraduate program and operate in Makassar. This study included a total sample of 312 respondents. Findings There is significant effects of mediation variables of service quality (M1) and organizational commitment (M2) on the relationship between management process alignment (X) and high educational performance (Y) in Makassar, Indonesia. Research limitations/implications For this study, cross-sectional data are used considering only one point of time due to which it is harder to see developments. There is a diversity of the characteristics of respondents, especially in terms of age, education, and status, so there is a possibility of a different perception of the content of the questionnaire that affected the selected answer. Originality/value This study considered the significant effects of mediation variables of service quality (M1) and organizational commitment on the relationship between management process alignment (X) and high educational performance. Previously, no research has been undertaken to examine the relationship between the location of the study and higher education institutions in the context of Makassar, Indonesia.

Organizational learning as a moderator of the effect of employee participation on academic results

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Quang Tran ◽  
Ngoc Thi Bich Pham
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Resources ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Academic Results

PurposeHigher education institutions are centers for knowledge creation and transfer, but most are not considered effective learning organizations, as their knowledge resources are not highly used. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of organizational learning on the relationship between employee participation and academic results in higher education institutions to promote learning in such organizations.Design/methodology/approachData collected from 1,050 faculties and managers at 139 Vietnamese universities were aggregated and used for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical multiple regression techniques were applied to test the moderating role of organizational learning in the relationship between employee participation and academic results.FindingsThe results provide support for the view that organizational learning positively moderates the relationship between employee participation and academic results in higher education institutions.Originality/valueThe paper explores the concept of organizational learning in the higher education context and clarifies its moderating role to enhance Vietnamese university performance through learning.

Religiosity and students’ examination cheating: evidence from Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1156-1172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Mensah ◽  
Edem M. Azila-Gbettor
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Academic Misconduct ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Academic misconduct has become an albatross on the management of higher education institutions with long-term ramification on developmental agenda of countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between religiousness of students and examination cheating tendencies. Further, this paper explored the cheating methods, reasons for cheating and the relationship between perception of peer cheating and examination cheating propensity among students in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study using questionnaires to collect data from 355 students in a three-year higher national diploma awarding technical university in Ghana. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were the main data analytical tools. Findings Results of the study revealed that “fear of failure” was the leading reason driving students’ examination cheating behaviours. Perception of peer cheating was related to levels of self-reported cheating whereas religious inclination of students was uncorrelated with the self-reported cheating behaviour of students. Practical implications The findings of the study provide implication for management of higher education institutions. The academic counselling unit of higher education institutions should work to dispel students’ overly sensitivity to end-of-semester examinations. Teachings of religious groups should highlight examination cheating as constituting violations of religious values and norms. Originality/value This paper is one of the pioneers of examination cheating and religiosity relationship in Ghana’s higher education settings. This study makes an additional contribution to the literature on the religiosity examination cheating nexus.

Growth and conflict: the views of Chinese private higher education managers

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Ma ◽  
Malcom Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Private Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Private Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Education Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a series of interviews conducted with a number of managers of Chinese private higher education institutions on the growth of the private higher education sector in China and the relationship it has with the government. Private higher education managers in China do seem concerned with the regulatory impediments to their institutions’ development and the difficulties involved in competing with state-funded institutions. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a series of interviews conducted with a number of managers of Chinese private higher education institutions on the growth of the private higher education sector in China and the relationship it has with the government. Findings The research found that private higher education managers in China do seem concerned with the regulatory impediments to their institutions’ development and the difficulties involved in competing with state-funded institutions. Originality/value This work is the only one of its kind in the academic literature.

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