Efficiency of Public and Private Universities in Bangladesh: A Comparative Approach using Data Envelopment Analysis

The aim of this study is to measure the efficiency of higher educational institutions and investigate the comparative efficiency of public and private higher education in Bangladesh. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), technical efficiency of 15 public universities and 20 private universities of Bangladesh are evaluated over the period 2008-2018. The empirical results reveal that public universities on an average operate between 56.2 to 80.7 percent level of technical efficiency while the private universities between 49.1 to 77.6 percent level over the study period. That is, universities in Bangladesh, on an average, do not operate efficiently in terms of resource utilization. Over the years only 33% public universities and 25% private universities are found efficient. The inefficient universities can improve their efficiency by utilizing full capacity of the inputs or reducing the amount of inputs at the estimated inefficiency rate of the respective universities. Findings also show that the public universities have the scope of producing 1.24 to 1.78 times and private universities 1.28 to 2.04 times as much output from the same level of inputs. Special monitoring by the regulatory authorities is required for inefficient universities to enhance their efficiency level.

Students’ Non-Cognitive Profiles and their Relationships with Academic Stress and Persistence in Higher Education

To reduce their attrition rates, institutions need to ensure that their students can manage the stressors they confront in their academic work and persist to complete their study programs. Given the significance of non-cognitive attributes in education, this study aimed to identify the non-cognitive profiles exhibited by students which related significantly to academic stress and persistence levels in the middle of a given academic year. Undergraduate students from one of the largest private higher education institutions in Singapore participated in two online surveys. A total of 565 and 122 students participated in the first and second surveys, respectively. Results indicated that three distinct non-cognitive profiles could be identified, which were associated significantly with students’ academic stress levels and their intentions to persist with their studies. Possible implications for enhancing student outcomes by offering students with opportunities to enhance their affective ‘readiness’ profiles are discussed.

Predicting Academic Procrastination and Academic Achievement in Private Higher Education With the HEXACO Model of Personality and Psychological Distress

Academic procrastination is one of the main problems in the private higher education sector associated with a high rate of abandonment of higher education and delays in fulfilling student obligations. In an effort to detect some of the personal predictors of this phenomenon, we examined associations between personality traits, psychological distress, academic procrastination, and academic achievement among students in private higher education. A sample of 369 participants (145 men, 224 women, 23 years on average) was taken. Participants self-reported their academic achievement and anonymously completed several questionnaires: The Studying Procrastination Scale, The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – 21, the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised - 60. In line with prediction, the HEXACO dimensions explained an additional 24% of the variance in academic procrastination after controlling for psychological distress. In addition, Conscientiousness and psychological distress predicted academic procrastination, and Conscientiousness uniquely significantly predicted academic performance. Our results suggest that academic procrastination and academic performance are influenced by personality. Also, this study indicated that the impact of psychological distress on academic outcomes depends on the constellation of personality traits. Current findings could help to better understand personal factors associated with negative academic outcomes and prevent negative emotional states associated with student procrastination and poor academic performance.

Factors Influencing Web 2.0 Technology Usage among Academics

The usage of Web 2.0 tools in education affords many benefits, which include increased access to educational resources, and the ability to collaboratively create and use content. Despite the benefits of Web 2.0 tools in higher education, the technology has not been widely used by academics in South Africa. Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate the extent of usage and the factors that play a role in the usage of Web 2.0 tools among academics at two South African higher education institutions. A case study research strategy was adopted to fulfil the objectives of the study. This paper reports on the quantitative approach used to conduct the study. A questionnaire was administered to collect data from the target population. The results revealed that individual factors, organisational factors, perceived usefulness and perceived quality characteristics are significant predictors to the usage of Web 2.0 tools. The study has practical implications for academic stakeholders in private higher education for the integration of Web 2.0 technology into their teaching practice.

The Mediating Role of Employers Attractiveness and Prestige on Job Aspirants Perception Towards Green Employee Relations in Malaysia

The key objectives of this study are to examine the relationship between Green Employee Relations and Job Pursuit Intentions as well as the mediating roles of Employers’ Attractiveness and Employers’ Prestige. This study is useful in determining the impact of green growth in developing economies such as Malaysia. Employing Business fields undergraduate students from private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia as the research sample where a total of 216 responses were collected for the study. For data analysis, SPSS and Smart PLS were utilized. Based on the bootstrapping approach, the results showed that the direct and mediating linkages were supported. This is where Green Employee Relations influenced the Job Pursuit Intentions, both Employers’ Attractiveness and Employers’ Prestige mediated the relationship respectively. The findings of this research offer empirical evidence to comprehend prospective job aspirants’ perception towards Green Employee Relations in influencing their Job Pursuit Intentions. Additionally, the study advances by contributing literature in the contemporary Human Resource Management area - Green HRM. Keywords: Green Human Resource Management, Green Employee Relations, Employers’ Attractiveness, Employers’ Prestige, Job Pursuit Intentions JEL Classifications : J5, MO, M1

How COVID-19 Has Exacerbated Inequality in Higher Education in Brazil

Drawing on educational census data and a review of news articles and higher education policies in Brazil, this article examines the impact of COVID-19 on the access and retention of the low-income Brazilian population in higher education. Guided by the question, “What is the impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable population in Brazil in terms of access to, and retention in higher education?”, the paper is structured in two sections: the first offers a short historical overview of Brazilian higher education; the second examines the impact of the pandemic on student retention in higher education, looking at factors such as social isolation, job and income precarity, use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), internet access, and technological resources. I argue that distance education offered by private higher education institutions benefits the privileged students and that the effects of the pandemic are detrimental to the socially disadvantaged students since those who are in public universities do not always have access to technology, and those who study in private universities feel the impact of not being able to pay tuition fees, besides the loss of several jobs in different sectors. In conclusion, I recommend policy initiatives to improve access to higher education.

THE DARK TRIAD AND PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANISATIONAL JUSTICE AMONG TEACHING STAFF IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION

<p>The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between The Dark Triad components (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy), and perceptions of the different organisational justice dimensions (distributive, procedural, and interactional) among teaching staff in private higher education. The sample included 277 participants (106 male, 171 female) aged 23 to 65. Self-report data were collected online using the Short Dark Triad, and The Organisational Justice Perceptions Questionnaire. Results have shown significant gender differences in the perception of organisational justice. Psychopathy was negatively related to the perception of distributive, procedural, and interactional justice only in men. Narcissism uniquely positively predicted distributive, procedural, and interactional justice in women. Machiavellianism showed no significant effects on perceptions of organisational justice dimensions in both men and women, which suggests that Machiavellianism operates similarly across gender regarding organisational justice. The positive effect of narcissism on the perception of procedural and interactional justice was more pronounced when associated with low Machiavellianism, which indicates that Machiavellianism indirectly negatively affects the perception of organisational justice. The results highlight the importance of including dark traits in explaining the perception of organisational justice.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0950/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

AGGRESSION, EMPATHY, AND LIFE SATISFACTION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG STUDENTS IN PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION

<p>The primary purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between aggression, empathy, and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main aim was to analyse the contribution of empathy components (empathic concern, personal distress, perspective-taking, and fantasy) above reactive and proactive aggression in predicting life satisfaction.. The Reactive-Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Single Item on Overall Life Satisfaction (OLS), and Single Item on Overall Happiness (OH) measures were applied to 418 students in private higher education (232 male, 186 female). The participants’ age ranged from 18 to 34, with a mean age of 21 years (SD = 3.18). Results showed that reactive aggression negatively predicted satisfaction with life and overall happiness, while proactive aggression did not significantly predict indicators of life satisfaction. Empathic concern showed a significant positive effect on satisfaction with life, while personal distress showed a significant adverse effect on all indicators of life satisfaction. Aggression and empathy together accounted for 14% of the variance in the satisfaction with life and 5% of the variance in overall life satisfaction and overall happiness. Empathy added incremental variance in explaining life satisfaction after controlling for aggression. The results highlight the importance of reactive aggression and emotional empathy in the explanation of life satisfaction.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0983/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

BEM VIVER E FELICIDADE NO TRABALHO: A PERCEPÇÃO DE PROFESSORES UNIVERSITÁRIOS DE UMA INSTITUIÇÃO PRIVADA

O presente estudo tem como proposta através do instrumento de pesquisa saber qual a forma sentida pelos docentes universitários de uma instituição privada de ensino superior, situada na cidade de Santa Maria/RS como eles percebem a felicidade e qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT) ou bem viver nas instituições em que trabalham. A busca de conciliar o bem viver no ambiente de trabalho, tornou-se uma estratégia imprescindível para as instituições de maneira geral, pois os colaboradores passam maior parte do seu tempo dentro das organizações, e essas precisam buscar estratégias que acompanhem constantemente os indicadores de qualidade e felicidade no ambiente organizacional. Os temas felicidade e bem viver fazem parte da rotina nas organizações, sempre buscando o bem-estar e auxiliando a saúde dos colaboradores, e com isso melhorar o desempenho da organização. A importância do estudo justifica-se perante o impacto que a falta de felicidade no trabalho e a incidência de fontes de pressão e a cobrança são mais elevadas. Com os resultados obtidos através da pesquisa é possível identificar ações que possam melhorar esses quesitos, visando manter um clima harmônico que contribua para o alcance dos resultados institucionais. Palavras-Chave: Bem Viver. Felicidade no Trabalho. Professores Universitários. Abstract: The present study proposes, through the research instrument, to know how university professors of a private higher education institution, located in the city of Santa Maria/RS, feel how they perceive happiness and quality of life at work (QWL) or living well in the institutions where they work. The quest to reconcile well-being in the work environment has become an essential strategy for institutions in general, as employees spend most of their time within organizations, and these need to seek strategies that constantly monitor the indicators of quality and happiness in the organizational environment. The themes of happiness and well being are part of the routine in organizations, always seeking the well-being and helping the health of employees, and thus improving the organization's performance. The importance of the study is justified by the impact that the lack of happiness at work and the incidence of pressure and demand sources are higher. With the results obtained through the research, it is possible to identify actions that can improve these requirements, aiming to maintain a harmonious climate that contributes to achieving institutional results. Keywords: Live Well. Happiness at Work. University Teachers.

The rise of contract cheating during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study through the eyes of academics in Kuwait

Contract cheating has gone rampant in higher education recently. When institutions switched to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of contract cheating students climbed to unprecedented levels. Essay mills saw the lack of face-to-face interaction and proctoring on campus as an opportunity and used aggressive marketing methods to attract students. This study asked the opinions of 20 faculty members working in the English departments of private higher education institutions in Kuwait regarding contract cheating through interviews. The data was analyzed with MAXQDA 2020. The findings show that all faculty members can recognize contract cheating easily. Most of them see contract cheating as a serious problem in the higher education system, a threat to the reliability of language assessment, triggered by laziness, the social pressure to graduate with a high GPA, and exacerbated by the cheating opportunities in online education. Academics have developed certain individual strategies in their courses to curb the number of contract cheating students; however, institutional measures differ, and in some, there are no measures or sanctions on contract cheating students.