Managing faculty performance: a social cognitive perspective

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of institutional factors, including EFQM model enablers, quality culture and resource availability, on the performance of faculty members in higher education institutions (HEIs). It investigates the interplay between these integral parts, particularly how quality culture acts as a mediator between EFQM enablers and faculty performance, and how resource availability acts as a moderator of the effect of quality culture on faculty performance. Design/methodology/approach The study utilized a quantitative approach and measurement scales to measure the constructs. Data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire from the faculty members of private sector HEIs in Lahore, Pakistan. A sample of 373 was determined, while in total, 457 responses were received, and after deleting 36 outliers, SmartPLS 4 was used to analyze the data and PLS-SEM was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The EFQM model enablers are positively related to faculty performance as well as quality culture. A quality culture is said to enhance faculty performance through social modeling and positive institutional goal-direction behavior reinforcement. Furthermore, quality culture mediates the influence of EFQM enablers and faculty performance. Moderately, resource availability strengthens the relationship between quality culture and faculty performance through observational learning. Research limitations/implications The study’s limitations include the use of the EFQM 2013 model, individual-level dynamics, a cross-sectional design, treating adaptive performance as a singular construct and the unilateral approach to relationships. Practical implications The implications of this analysis recommend that leaders within HEIs should adopt quality management systems like EFQM, emphasize individual staff training and development, set appropriate performance targets and provide sufficient support for research and collaboration activities. Originality/value This study advances the EFQM model enablers and faculty performance by establishing quality culture as the mediator. This study also clarifies the role of resource availability as a moderator in the relationship between the quality of culture and faculty performance. This study makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by empirically establishing the relationship between the factors that significantly impact faculty performance.