The contribution of trust to academic knowledge sharing among academics in the Malaysian research institutions [Scholarly Article - Cogent Business & Management, 2022]

Title:

The contribution of trust to academic knowledge sharing among academics in the Malaysian research institutions

 

Authors:

Yaser Mutahar 

Teacher Assistant, Al-Razi University, Yemen, & PhD student in Al-Madinah International University

Mazen Mohammed Farea 

Associate professor, Al-Madinah International University

Mohammed Abdulrab, 

Assistant professor, Community College of Qatar, Doha, Qatar & Al-Razi University, Yemen

Yaser Hasan Al-Mamary

Associate professor at College of Business Administration, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia & Al-Razi University, Yemen

Adel Abdulmhsen Alfalah

Assistant professor, College of Business Administration, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia

&

Mohieddin Grada

Assistant professor, College of Business Administration, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia

 

Published:

Cogent Business & Management, 21 February 2022

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311975.2022.2038762

 

Abstract:

Knowledge sharing within the academic community is necessary for achieving academic excellence in today’s knowledge-based environment. Knowledge sharing requires teamwork in research, collaboration and joint publications, which suggests building trust among academics. Thus, the present study develops a model based on the Theory of Social Exchange that addresses the contribution of trust to knowledge sharing. The study adopted a quantitative research design in collecting and analyzing data from 380 respondents who are academics in the five Malaysian research institutions. Structured equation modelling (SEM) via SmartPLS software was utilized to examine the study hypothesis. The results showed that trust (TR) has a positive and significant relationship with knowledge sharing (KS). Furthermore, trust significantly predicts organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB), which was found to influence KS significantly. Moreover, the study results show an indirect relationship between TR and KS. OCB variable’s mediation effect is statistically significant. The current study establishes a link between trust and knowledge sharing. This area of research is limited in Malaysia, and research identifying the mediating role of OCB between trust and knowledge sharing behaviour within academic and research institutions in Malaysia is limited. The study’s outcome applies to higher academic institutions and other academic and industrial corporations where knowledge sharing is required to ensure higher performance.

The struggles and the triumphs of South African Black women professors [Scholarly Article - South African Journal of Higher Education, October 2020]

Title: 

The struggles and the triumphs of South African Black women professors  

 

Author: 

N.T.Zulu, Department of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa  

 

Published: 

South African Journal of Higher Education, 35(6), 20 October 2020 https://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/sajhe/article/view/4272   

 

Abstract: 

The apartheid epoch introduced a web of laws that influenced public and private structures and ideological apparatuses, including educational institutions, to give an inferior status to Black people. South Africa was also upheld by a deeply patriarchal system which marginalised the status of women in society. This meant that most people in senior positions in South African organisations were predominantly white and male. The consequence of racism and patriarchy meant that there have been a low number of Black women professors in institutions of higher education. This study therefore aimed to examine the discourses of Black women professors in post-apartheid South Africa. This study used the Critical Race Theory (CRT) and critical consciousness, to understand the challenges that Black women professors encounter and how they strategically navigated these challenges in institutions of higher education, respectively. The Black women professors were recruited from two South African universities. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The significance of the study is that it identified discourses, which could be useful to understand the kinds of challenges that may operate in higher education and ways to shift these existing challenges. The findings showed two main challenges encountered by Black women professors namely: (1) feelings of being unwelcomed within the academic space and (2) being undermined in their leadership positions. Black women professors seemed to navigate these challenges by (1) being vocal, and (2) being intentional, about excelling in their work and (3) adopting a transformational leadership style. The study feeds into how South African higher education institutions can accommodate Black women professors, as they navigate through their career.

 

AFGHANISTAN - Race still on to save lives, careers of Afghan academics [University World News, August, 2021]

Title:

Race still on to save lives, careers of Afghan academics 

 

Authors:

Brendan O’Malley  

 

Published:

University World News, 28 August 2021 

https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210825174712995

 

From the article:

Scholars at Risk (SAR), the scholar rescue network, says the race to get hundreds of scholars out of Afghanistan and secure their safety continues but has turned from a sprint into a marathon, following the closing of the Kabul flight evacuations in advance of the 31 August deadline agreed with the Taliban for Western forces to leave the airport.

 

SOUTH AFRICA - Academics reject claims that 2020 has been a success for universities [Maverick Citizen, 14 December 2020]

Title:

Academics reject claims that 2020 has been a success for universities

Author:

Zukiswa Pikoli

Published:

Maverick Citizen, 14 December 2020

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-12-14-academics-reject-claims-that-2020-has-been-a-success-for-universities/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot

From the article:

More than 300 academics have co-signed a statement challenging the university management narrative that 2020 has been a success. They have accused management of being blind to the damage wrought by the Covid-19 lockdown measures, saying onlining will have terrible consequences for tertiary education.

CROATIA - Academics' effectiveness and professional development in Croatia: Challenges for human resource management in higher education institutions

Title:

Academics' effectiveness and professional development in Croatia: Challenges for human resource management in higher education institutions

 

Authors:

Zoran Sušanj, Ana Jakopec & Ana Đorić

 

Published:

European Journal of Education, Volume 55, Issue 4, 10 October 2020

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ejed.12422

 

Abstract:

The relationship between higher education and profound global economic, social, technological and political transformations underway in recent decades is attracting growing public and professional interest. In this context, governmental bodies, higher education institutions and academics are under pressure to improve the effectiveness and professional development of academic staff. This article explores the need to adapt current human resource management practices in higher education in Croatia as a response. The article presents recent empirical data from higher education institutions in Austria, Croatia and Finland collected in the international project “Modernisation of Higher Education Institutions through Enhancement of Human Resources Management Function”. Descriptive indicators of current human resource management practices in higher education institutions reveal substantially different levels of development and use of certain practices to manage the effectiveness and professional development of academics. This article discusses the role of the human resource function at higher education institutions, the possibilities of using specific human resource development activities designed for different job roles held by academics, the importance of a performance management system that suits the academic environment, and the need for a strategic approach to human resource management at higher education institutions.

Departure of Covid expert spotlights Asian retirement rules

Title:

Departure of Covid expert spotlights Asian retirement rules

 

Author:

Joyce Lau

 

Published:

Times higher Education, 19 October 2020

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/departure-covid-expert-spotlights-asian-retirement-rules

 

From the article:

Critics says that 60, or even 65, is too young to end an academic career.

Half of academics leaving UK are EU citizens [Times Higher Education, 28 March 2020]

Title:
Half of academics leaving UK are EU citizens

Author:
Simon Baker

Published:
Times Higher Education, 28 March 2020

From the article:
"Latest data also suggest a fall in the absolute numbers of younger EU academics working in the UK."

To read this article:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/half-academics-leaving-uk-are-eu-citizens