JOB SATISFACTION AND MOTIVATION AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF

Purpose The academic staff is an important constituent group within higher education institutions impacting the quality of the institutions and students' success. The purpose of this paper is to present an on going study on academic staff job satisfaction and motivation in Portuguese higher education institutions. The paper will review the theoretical underpinnings of job satisfaction and motivation of academic staff. Studies on academic job satisfaction and motivation around the world will be examined. The presentation will also offer insights into relationships that impact academic staff job satisfaction and motivation within Portuguese higher education institutions, in the context of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Research questions: 1. What are the determinants of academic staff job satisfaction and motivation? 2. What are the relationships between job satisfaction and motivation of academic staff? 3. What are the differences, in terms of job satisfaction, among sub-groups (age, gender, professional category, length of service in higher education, length of service in the current higher education institution and higher education sub-systems - public, private, university and polytechnic)? 4. What is the impact of satisfaction and motivation on the development of the academic career? 5. Does satisfaction and motivation of faculty play a role in the quality of higher education institutions? Design/methodology/approach In terms of methodology, a quantitative and qualitative approach is being developed for this project in order to embrace the full spectrum of theoretical orientations and perspectives. Several methodologies are being utilized to gather the data and information needed for this study: 1) quantitative survey data gathering, 2) qualitative interview data gathering and 3) qualitative document examination. Expected results This ongoing study aims to answer the research questions above in order to help Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs) to identify the determinants for recruitment and retention of academic staff, to attract academic talents and to assist institutions to assess their competitive position. Originality/value We know that demand for academic staff in higher education has been increasing and may be expected to continue to increase. The work of academics is influenced by global trends such as accountability, massification, deteriorating financial support and managerial controls. So, we assist to the rapid change of the academic workplace and to the necessity to manage the tensions within the academic profession. Moreover, the performance of academic staff as teachers and researchers has an impact on student learning and thus the contribution of the higher education institutions (HEIs) to society. Therefore, satisfaction and motivation of the academic staff assume particular relevance.