ACADEMICIANS’ SATISFACTION WITH FACULTY SELECTION AND LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENT PRACTICES: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF UNIVERSITIES IN LAHORE

Abstract

This study employed a quantitative research design based on a descriptive survey approach to examine academicians’ perceptions regarding faculty selection criteria and leadership appointment practices in universities of Lahore. The key objective was to determine the level of satisfaction among faculty members with the Higher Education Commission (HEC)-regulated selection processes and leadership appointment practices in both public and private sector universities. Data were collected through a survey involving a sample of 236 academicians selected using proportional stratified random sampling from two public and two private universities. A self-administered questionnaire was developed comprising four dimensions: faculty selection processes, leadership appointments, academic satisfaction, and institutional policies. The instrument was validated by experts and demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) through SPSS. The findings revealed significant differences in perceptions between academicians from public and private universities. While merit-based selection and academic qualifications were acknowledged, respondents expressed dissatisfaction due to perceived favoritism, political influence, and lack of transparency in faculty recruitment and leadership appointments. The study concludes that implementing standardized, transparent, and merit-based policies is essential for enhancing faculty satisfaction, institutional credibility, and governance in higher education institutions. These findings provide empirical insights for policymakers and university administrators to improve recruitment and leadership appointment practices in Pakistani universities.