ACADEMICIANS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT FACULTY SELECTION CRITERIA AND LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS IN UNIVERSITIES OF LAHORE

Abstract

This quantitative research paper examined the views of the academics in regards to the faculty selection processes and appointment of leaders at Lahore institutions. The key objective was to gauge the level of satisfaction of faculty members of universities with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) regulated faculty selection processes and leadership appointment practices in the universities of the public and the private sectors. The data were collected through a survey study design involving a sample of 236 academics randomly recruited in two institutions (2 private institutions and 2 public institutions) with proportional stratification. Data were collected through a self-administered, designed questionnaire that had four dimensions that included faculty selection processes, leadership appointments, satisfaction among the academics and institutional policies. The instrument was validated by experts, and its reliability was good (Cronbach’s alpha =0.86). A descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were performed using SPSS as the tools used in analyzing the quantitative data. The results indicated that there were tremendous differences in perceptions of the academicians in the public and the private universities. Although the importance of merit-based and academic qualifications was not completely ignored, the respondents showed a good level of dissatisfaction based on the perceived favors, political relationship and lack of transparency in the appointment of the faculty and selection of the person as a leader. The research finds that in higher education institutions, standardized, transparent, and merit-based selection policy is imperative in improving faculty contentment, institutional reputation and good governance. The results are empirical in enlightening policy makers and university administrators in enhancing the recruitment and appointment of leaders in Pakistani universities.