scholarly journals The impact of ethical leadership on employee engagement within a South African public higher education institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-324
Author(s):  
Anrusha Bhana ◽  
Sachin Suknunan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
South African ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
The Impact

Ethical leadership has become a fundamental building block amongst the corporate organizations globally. However, minimal research evidence was found from a higher education institution (HEI) perspective, including the evidence from a South African higher education setting. Due to the lack of research linking the ethical leadership`s style and employee`s engagement (EE) at higher education institutions, it becomes important to find out if ethical leadership can positively promote the EE, which, in turn, can promote various other benefits at the institutions. Therefore, this study aims to examine this from the perspective of ethical leadership style and its impact on the EE. This study focused on a large HEI (Higher Education institution) based in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Quantitative data collection employed the probability sampling targeting 420 employees. Questionnaires were used as data collection tools and obtained a response rate of 312 (74%). The results show that the average mean value for EE (M = 2.87) was weak in comparison to the measurement standard of 3.00, which implied a lack of EE between leadership and employees. In addition, the results indicate that ethical leadership can positively influence the EE (M = 4.27), thus, indicating the need for more ethical leadership at this institution. Furthermore, the current lack of employee`s engagement by leaders that do not exhibit the ethical leadership style can result in employees` disengagement at the institution.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Ethical Leadership Styles and Employees Effective Work Practices

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Anrusha Bhana ◽  
Mohamed Saheed Bayat
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Management Leadership ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
South African Higher Education ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Line Management

South African Higher ]Education Institutions are diverse, highly debated by academia as well as the portfolio committee on higher education and structured with a strong focus on the customer being students, with a negligible concern for the academic and professional employees. The revolutionary changes at Higher Education Institution have gestured the importance of both leadership and employees to support the transformational strategy at these institutions. Higher Education transformation has a lot to do with leadership - not the leadership of the Vice-chancellor, but the leadership of a collective of people, executive management leadership, line management leadership, academics and administration, and other stakeholders (MacGregor, 2015:28; 2012). The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the ethical leadership style of line management leadership, and academic and administrative at a South African Higher Education Institution in KwaZulu-Natal. Data analysis utilized a quantitative method with an academic sample size of 165 (52.9%) and administrative sample size of 147 (47.1%). The study used descriptive and linear regression analysis to examine the two variables. The descriptive findings revealed that ethical leadership style was not present at the line management leadership level. The inferential analysis findings exhibited a significant strong linear relationship of 74.7% between line management leadership and employee items. Data analysis revealed that line management leadership style had an impact on employees’ performance and behavior at the institution. Thus, it is imperative to have a fully engaged workforce in order for an institution to achieve greater levels of innovation, intrapreneurship, design thinking and financial management.

scholarly journals The retention of academics in the early career phase

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coenraad Bester
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
African Higher Education ◽  
South African Higher Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Labour Turnover

The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent academics in the early career phase at a South African higher education institution are committed to the institution in question and the impact which this commitment has on labour turnover. More than 21% of the original respondents left the institution while this research was still underway. Insufficient financial remuneration was the most important reason why the respondents considered leaving the institution.

scholarly journals An exploration of stereotype perceptions amongst support staff within a South African higher education institution

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Given R.B. Moloto ◽  
Lizelle Brink ◽  
J. Alewyn Nel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
The Impact

Orientation: After the 1994 democratic elections, South African organisations had to replace discriminatory policies with new policies to integrate all people and to embrace diversity. As a consequence stereotypes may be more prevalent in diverse working environments.Research purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the experience of stereotypes amongst the support staff within a higher education institution.Motivation for this study: Changes within South African working environments, and specifically higher education institutions, resulted in more diverse management teams and a more culturally diverse workforce. With this in mind, the experience of stereotypes may become more prevalent within South African working environments. Many researchers have focused on stereotypes; however, studies on stereotypes within South Africa are limited, especially within higher education institutions. Research approach, design and method: The research approach was qualitative and a case study design was employed. A combination of both quota and convenience sampling was used. The sample consisted of (N = 30) support staff within a higher education institution in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data.Main findings: The results indicated that the participants do experience stereotypes within their workplace and also hold stereotypes of other people within their workplace. The most prevalent stereotypes mentioned by participants were age, gender, racial and occupational stereotypes. There is also an indication that stereotypes have cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects on the stereotyped.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations should do away with stereotyping by embracing and managing diversity and dealing with stereotypes, specifically within higher education institutions. When managers are aware of stereotypes and the effects thereof in the organisation, they can make every effort to eradicate the stereotypes and address the impact thereof.Contribution: In an environment where there is a diverse workforce, stereotyping is more likely to exist. This study will provide useful information about stereotypes within a higher education institution seeing that there are a limited number of studies on this topic within South Africa and within this specific occupation. The results of the study will enlighten the organisation to become more aware of stereotypes and the debilitating impact that they have on the individual and the organisation, thereby providing the organisation with the opportunity to address stereotypes and the impact thereof on employees and the organisation.

scholarly journals Building ethical leadership through training and development approach at a higher education institution in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 405-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anrusha Bhana ◽  
Sachin Suknunan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Executive Management ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Management Leadership

The research has shown that many leaders lack ethical practice, but training and development geared towards ethical leadership can serve to bridge this gap in theory and practice. This paper focuses primarily on the key aspect of training and development to promote more ethical leadership within a higher education institution setting. The data were drawn from a mixed-method study adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Simple random sampling constituted a sample of 312 academic and administrative staff members at the institution. The purposeful sampling for the qualitative component was a realized sample of 3 executive management leadership and 9 line management leadership participants, indicating a total response rate of 67%. The results for executive management leadership reflect poor leadership style from the employees’ perspective in relation to respect and fairness, transparency, behavior, and other ethical leadership-related items (of M = 2.74, SD = 0.033). In addition, there was a clear need for leadership to attend ongoing training courses (M = 4.20, SD = 0.904). From the qualitative perspective, more than 50% of the leadership respondents indicated no appropriate university leadership programmes or ethical leadership programs. Therefore, the investment in training and development can promote more ethical leadership style, which in turn can have a positive impact on employees (M = 4.43, SD = 0.740). In light of this, the results provide a strong inclination towards more training and development programs to ensure that leaders develop ethical considerations in their role as leaders.

scholarly journals Academic Staff Perceptions toward Implementing Total Quality Management Principles

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Naail Mohammed Kamil ◽  
Loutfi Boulahlib ◽  
Mohammed Borhandden Musa ◽  
Shafeeq Hussain Vazathodi Al-Hudawi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Total Quality Management ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Academic Degree

Purpose-This study examines the attitude of academic staff in one higher education institution in Malaysia towards the implementation of total quality management principles, and how that affects the intention to implement total quality management in the university. It also highlights the impacts of several demographic variables on the implementation of total quality management in the university.Design/methodology/approach-The study used survey data drawn from 149 academic staff selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Regression analysis was used to analyse data.Finding-The findings demonstrate there is a positive significant correlation between attitude toward TQM implementation (customers and stakeholders, employee engagement and teamwork, continuous improvements and total degree of attitude) and the intention to practice TQM among sampled institution faculties.Concerning the correlation between the subjective norms and intention, the analysis manifests that there is no significant correlation between the subjective norms of TQM and the intention to practice TQM principles among institutional staff.Furthermore, the study also found that there are no significant differences in the attitude towards implementation of total quality managementprinciples due to the variables of gender, nationality, marital status, work experiences, the faculty and job positions with the exception of academic degree, where significant differences are shown.Value/originality-Since the study reports the understanding of academic staff of a higher education institution toward the implementation of total quality management principles, top management in the tertiary sector may find the findings and conclusions useful when planning for the implementation of total quality management principles.

scholarly journals Stress, Leadership Style and Internal Communication Among Teachers of a Higher Education Institution

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Maurício Benício Valadão ◽  
Valdir Inácio Do Prado Júnior ◽  
Sebastião Benício Costa Neto
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Private Institution ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
The City ◽  
Do So

This article aimed to understand the relation stress, leadership style and internal communication between management and teachers of a higher education private institution in the city of Goiânia-GO. To achieve this, the exploratory method was used, relying on the contribution of such teachers in a focal group. Through the results found, it is understood that the institution must elaborate a number of considerations towards the relation stress and internal communication. To do so, it is highlighted: the comprehension that the lack of a well structured internal communication fosters stress; and the use of strategies that contribute to the implementation of an effective internal communication. Estresse, Estilo de Liderança e Comunicação Interna entre Docentes de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior Este artigo buscou compreender a relação estresse, estilo de liderança e comunicação interna entre chefia e docentes de uma instituição de ensino superior privada na cidade Goiânia-GO. Para a sua consecução foi utilizado o método exploratório, contando com a contribuição dos docentes em um grupo focal. Por meio dos resultados encontrados, entende-se que a instituição deve elaborar um conjunto de considerações acerca da relação estresse e comunicação interna. Para tanto, destacam-se: a compreensão de que a falta de uma comunicação interna bem estruturada fomenta o estresse; e a utilização de estratégias que contribuam para a implementação de uma comunicação interna efetiva.

Factors influencing the intention to use social media for work-related purposes at a South African higher education institution

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liezel Cilliers ◽  
Willie T. Chinyamurindi ◽  
Kim Viljoen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
South African ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Orientation: The rapid development of information communication technology (ICT) has changed much of contemporary society. ICT’s influence extends to the working context with ramifications not only for employees but also for the entire organisation.Research purpose: The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the behavioural intention of a sample of employees at a traditional higher education institution to make use of social media within the workplace.Motivation for the study: Social media has become a common tool within society for communication and networking purposes. An understanding of the factors that influence behavioural intention to use social media within the workplace can assist the organisation to better manage social media usage within the workplace.Research design, approach and method: The research adopted the positivism paradigm with a quantitative research approach. The data were analysed making use of exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. A traditional higher education institution was chosen as the research site for the study, relying on a convenience sample (n = 134) and data gathered using the work-related social media scale and behavioural intention to use scale.Main findings: Although most employees make use of social media for problem-solving and communication purposes already in the workplace, organisations should allow their employees to help manage their reputation on social media.Practical and managerial implications: An understanding of the factors that influence behavioural intention to use social media within the workplace can serve as a useful precursor for both employee and organisational-specific interventions. This study has specific relevance to the use of ICT platforms, such as social media, in traditional higher education institutions in South Africa. The study’s results are therefore useful to both employees as end-users and managers as drivers of such interventions in the workplace.Contribution: This study is one of the first within a South African work context to investigate social media usage in a traditional higher education institution and proposes a workplace social media usage framework (WSMUF) that helps not only employees but also the entire organisation to predict intention to use social media in the workplace.

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