scholarly journals Burnout, work engagement and sense of coherence in female academics in higher-education institutions in South Africa

2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adéle Bezuidenhout ◽  
Frans V.N. Cilliers
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Body ◽  
University Management ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Psychometric Instrument ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Individual

Orientation: Female academics in higher-education institutions face numerous challenges in the continuously changing landscape of South African higher education. Mergers, increasing job demands, ever-increasing class sizes and role conflict inherent in the female role contribute extensively to the manifestation of stress and burnout in this population group.Research purpose: This research was conducted from a salutogenic paradigm, seeking to find ways of avoiding the negative consequences of burnout and contributing towards the positive experience of work engagement for the female academic. The research also explored the effect of the individual academic’s sense of coherence (SOC) on her experience of burnout and work engagement.Research design, approach and method: The research was quantitative in nature. A psychometric instrument was sent to all the permanently employed female academics at Unisa and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), measuring their levels of burnout, work engagement and SOC. The completed questionnaires were statistically analysed.Main findings: The findings included average levels of burnout, with definite signs that the experience of burnout is on the increase. The cynicism sub-dimension of burnout showed increased levels, work engagement scores were just above average and SOC scores were low.Practical/managerial implications: This article offers a psychological interpretation of the variables in the target group. The article contributes towards the body of research studies conducted from a positive psychological paradigm and, specifically, on the female gender.Contribution/value-add: The main recommendations are that university management needs to take cognisance of the alarming symptoms of burnout present in the population under discussion. Strategies are recommended to address these and to nurture work engagement.

scholarly journals Prediction of the number of potential applicants of Russian universities in the current demographic conditions in the country in order to update the problems of reputational management

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Yudina
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Reputation Management ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
University Management ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The University ◽  
Russian Universities

The article is devoted to the analysis of the dynamics of a number of statistical indicators (population by age group, data on natural population movement (Fertility, mortality), the number of marriages and divorces, as well as the number of students in higher education institutions, the rates of admission of students to higher and secondary vocational education institutions, the official forecast of the Federal Service of State Statistics of the Russian Federation of the population of the country aged 18 years for 2020–2035) In order to predict the potential number of applicants of Russian universities and to determine the prospects for their development in the near future. The result of the analysis carried out by the author is an attempt to make a forecast of the number of applicants in higher education institutions of our country for 2020–2035, which shows that even if it is pessimistic, the dynamics of the possible number of applicants in the next sixteen years is positive and quite encouraging. In addition, the author of the article justifies the mechanisms of university management based on the formation and management of the reputation of higher educational institutions. Among them: development and implementation of the quality management system of the university; Improvement of professional competence of management and faculty of the university; Development of the system of vocational guidance, employment and adaptation of university graduates; Building in the student environment the values, needs and abilities of self-realization of the individual. The implementation of the proposed reputational management mechanisms should help universities to increase their competitiveness, advance in Russian and world ratings, that is, to solve the problems facing them through effective reputation management.

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.

scholarly journals ‘The fact that she just looked at me…’ – Narrations on shame in South African workplaces

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude-Hélène Mayer ◽  
Rian Viviers ◽  
Louise Tonelli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Work Context ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Health And Well Being

Orientation: Shame has been internationally researched in various cultural and societal contexts as well as across cultures in the workplace, schools and institutions of higher education. It is an emotional signal that refers to experienced incongruence of identity goals and the judgement of others.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to focus on experiences of shame in the South African (SA) workplace, to provide emic, in-depth insights into the experiences of shame of employees.Motivation for the study: Shame in the workplace often occurs and might impact negatively on mental health and well-being, capability, freedom and human rights. This article aims at gaining some in-depth understanding of shame experiences in SA workplaces. Building on this understanding the aim is to develop awareness in Industrial and Organisational Psychologists (IOPs), employees and organisations to cope with shame constructively in addition to add to the apparent void in the body of knowledge on shame in SA workplaces.Research design, approach and method: An interpretative hermeneutical research paradigm, based on Dilthey’s modern hermeneutics was applied. Data were collected through semistructured interviews of 11 employees narrating their experiences from various workplaces, including the military, consulting organisations and higher education institutions. Content analysis was used for data analysis and interpretation.Main findings: The major themes around which shameful experiences evolved included loss of face, mistreatment by others, low work quality, exclusion, lifestyle and internalised shame on failure in the workplace. Shame is experienced as a disturbing emotion that impacts negatively on the self within the work context. It is also experienced as reducing mental health and well-being at work.Practical/managerial implications: SA organisations need to be more aware of shame in the workplace, to address the potential negative effects of shame on employees, particularly if they are not prepared to reframe shame into a constructively and positively used emotion. Safe spaces should be made available to talk about shame. Strategies should be applied to deal with shame constructively.Contribution/value-add: This article expands an in-depth understanding of shame from emic and culture-specific perspectives within SA workplaces. The findings are beneficial to IOPs and organisations to understand what shame is from the perspective of SA employees across cultural groups. The article thereby adds value to theory and practice, offering IOPs a deeper understanding of shame in the work context.

scholarly journals STRESS RESISTANCE AND COPY STRATEGIES OF STUDENTS ’BEHAVIOR DURING THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

2021 ◽  
pp. 98-107
Author(s):  
Andrii Cherkashyn
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Effective Activity ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Individual

The article considers the main approaches to the problem of stress resistance of students in higher education institutions of Ukraine. It is determined that a number of scientists consider stress resistance as a property of the individual that determines its effective activity, and others as cognitively conditioned mechanisms for overcoming stress. It is noted that in psychological science there are other views on the stress resistance of the individual, but when studying the stress resistance of students in the educational process of higher education, it is advisable to use the above approaches. Studies suggest that most students have low levels of psychological stress, mental stress and medium, high levels of resilience. The main coping strategies of students’ behavior in stressful situations are “confrontational coping”, “avoidance”, “self-control” and “problem solving planning”.

scholarly journals FEATURES OF RESULT BASED FINANCING HIGHER EDUCATION

THE BULLETIN ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (390) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
Iryna Kalenyuk ◽  
Olena Grishnova ◽  
Liudmyla Tsymbal ◽  
Deniss Djakons
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Education System ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Financial Flows ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
The World ◽  
Financing Higher Education

The key role of the education system in the formation of a knowledge society is raising the issue of improving its financing. In the face of new challenges and aggravation of global competition, the mechanism for financing the higher education system is being transformed. The need to increase funding is manifested in expanding financial sources and improving the management of various financial flows. Increasing the effectiveness of public funding is becoming an important issue, which remains the main source of financial revenues for institutions of higher education in countries of the world. A promising practice in the world is the use of funding based on the results of activity, which is becoming more widespread in various areas of economic activity. The purpose of this article is to study the current world-wide practice of applying results-based financing of higher education and defining promising directions for its implementation in Ukraine. The essence and features of RBF - Result Based Financing (RBF) method, including in the system of higher education, are revealed. The existing approaches to financing higher education institutions in the world based on results are systematized, the main criteria for their definition are identified: on the basis of inputs, process, output, output. The world practice of using higher education institutions financing based on the results, positive and negative consequences of its implementation is highlighted and summarized. The necessity of using RBF funding in the system of native education is proved, the main directions and areas of its use are determined. The application of a two-tier model of financing higher education institutions in Ukraine is proposed, which combines the traditional cost-oriented approach and funding based on the results of the activity.

scholarly journals Informative Indicators of Functional and Motor Fitness of Students of Higher Education Institutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-115
Author(s):  
S. Chernenko ◽  
O. Honcharenko ◽  
S. Marchenko
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Functional State ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Index Method ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Motor Fitness ◽  
Heart Performance ◽  
Romberg Test

The study objective was to determine informative indicators of functional and motor fitness of 1st-5th year students. Materials and methods. The study involved male students of 1st year (n = 67), 2nd year (n = 66), 3rd year (n = 62), 4th year (n = 45), 5th year (n = 56). The following research methods were used to solve the tasks set: analysis of scientific literature, pedagogical observation, pedagogical testing; index method and medical-biological methods. Pedagogical methods were used to study the peculiarities of functional state of the body and motor abilities of 1st-5th year students of higher education institutions; factor analysis was used for data processing. Results. By the Ruffier index, the 1st-2nd year students have an average heart performance. The 3rd-5th year students have a satisfactory heart performance. By the results of the Stange and Genci tests, the 1st-5th year students are evaluated as healthy and fit. According to the Romberg test, the 1st and 5th year students show higher results than the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.006, respectively). The 3rd year students have the lowest results. The test results are estimated as lower than normal. Conclusions. The analysis of motor and functional fitness of the 1st-5th year students showed that the first factor in their structure is the functional state of the respiratory system, the second factor is speed strength and strength fitness. The most informative tests are: 1st year – the Stange test (0.822) and Genci test (0.741); 2nd year – the Genci test (0.758), the Ruffier index has the lowest informativity (0.11); 3rd year – “Standing long jump” (0.741) and the Genci test (0.723); 4th year – the Stange test (0.927) and Genci test (0.810); 5th year – the Stange test (0.799).

scholarly journals Human resources department in crisis: A case of a university in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Department Staff ◽  
University Leaders ◽  
Depth Interviews

Human Resources (HR) departments in previously disadvantaged higher education institutions (HEI) in South Africa have contributed to the crisis that has led them to be governed by appointed Administrators assigned by the Ministry of Higher Education and Training. The malfunctioning of HR departments persists even in the post-Administrator’s era, with a prevalence of personal, interpersonal and operational challenges. This study aimed at interrogating challenges faced by the HR Department of the university concerned post the appointed Administrator era and its negative effects. This study adopted a qualitative research approach whereby in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 10 HR Department staff members. Focus group discussions were also carried out with 20 academic and non-academic university leaders. Further data was also collected through ethnographic observation and secondary data was also used. The non-probability purposive sampling was used for qualitative analysis and NVivo was used for organizing and analyzing data gleaned from the in-depth interviews. The study findings consistently revealed unclear roles and responsibilities, outmoded recruitment and selection processes and poor interpersonal relations amongst the HR department staff members as some of the challenges that still persist post the Administrator’s era, all of which have contributed to the paralysis of organizational culture. University leaders can use the study findings as a tool to devise and implement radical change management interventions aiming at re-engineering HR departments that are operating abnormally, as well as for designing a responsive HR Strategic Architect. This study will contribute to the body of knowledge in the HR fraternity as there is a dearth of published studies on the internal challenges faces by HR Departments (both interpersonal and operational), which have the potential to hamper smooth operations of higher education institutions.

Democratic Traditions of the European Universities as the Development Assurance of Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions in Interwar Period

2021 ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
BOHDAN ANDRUSYSHYN ◽  
OLHA TOKARCHUK
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Sovereign State ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Legal Thought ◽  
European Universities ◽  
Political Views ◽  
Level Of Training ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Legal Staff

The article deals with the study of the Ukrainian scientists’ activities in one of the largest and most notable centres of Ukrainian political emigration since the early twenties of the 20th century – in the Prague one. It has been pointed out that the Ukrainian intellectuals in foreign countries did not abandon their thoughts about the restoration of a united sovereign state. The Ukrainian state and legal thought development were associated both with the functioning of the Ukrainian Free University as well as other higher education institutions and with the broad involving of European democratic traditions during the emigration period. The professors had to solve such important and difficult tasks as: to create independent university courses on many disciplines for Law Department which programmes had already been significantly expanded in Prague. Having a complicated scientific and methodological work the Ukrainian scientists performed a responsible task successfully; dozens of legal courses were compiled and partially published, most of the specializedcourses differed in originality and made a significant contribution to the development of legal thought and science. Regarding the teaching activity of scientists in emigration, and in the past many of them were lawyers-practitioners and statesmen, we should note that their reports and lecture materials are characterized by deep preparation, content, thoughtfulness and consistency of the basic idea development. The training of Ukrainian youth in higher education institutions in Czechoslovakia was completely saturated not only with European worldview and methodological approaches, but also retained progressive national-state traditions. The forced situation, in which legal scientists got, brought them to such a theoretical and practical level of training of legal staff, to which we are only approaching today. This stage was viewed by young people as temporary and did not even imagine that they would remain in the West forever; prepared to “return home not empty-handed”. Thus, modern legal education and science need advanced more thorough research on the legal refinement of legal scholars in exile. University students and postgraduate students should take an active part in events where scientists and students of law faculties of Ukrainian higher schools in Europe are popularized. It is advisable to organize discussions about state-legal, socio-political views, cultural activities of figures. It is also necessary to intensify the individual search for the scientific activities of Ukrainian emigration in certain areas of law.

Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources

2021 ◽  
pp. 1807-1829
Author(s):  
Magdalena Platis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
University Management ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Higher Education Systems ◽  
Real Phenomenon ◽  
The University ◽  
Contemporary Context

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.

Role of University Rankings in the Context of Lack of Resources

2017 ◽  
pp. 186-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Platis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
University Rankings ◽  
University Management ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Higher Education Systems ◽  
Real Phenomenon ◽  
The University ◽  
Contemporary Context

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.

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