Examining the Work Engagement Among Academics at Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs) in Sabah, Malaysia: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

Work engagement at Malaysian higher educational institutions is a dynamic balance between institutional pressures and intrinsic motivation.  Academics often face strenuous job demands, including extensive administrative tasks and research targets; nevertheless, their work engagement often improves with robust social support, an empowering organizational culture, and appropriate rewards and recognition. The purpose of this study was to examine the work engagement among academics at private higher educational institutions (PHEIs) in Sabah, Malaysia.  The sample comprised 61 academics from four PHEIs in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, who completed the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale on Google Forms.  Data were subsequently transferred onto a spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS 29.0.  First, findings indicated that only very low to low-average proportions of PHEI academics tend to very often/always display high work engagement. Mann-Whitney U test revealed nonsignificant gender differences in perceived work engagement among academics at PHEIs in Sabah.  Kruskal-Wallis H test indicated nonsignificant differences in perceived work engagement by way of age and job experience.  Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated that 14 of the work engagement items were significantly different from the hypothesized median value of 3.5 at p < .001, while three of the items were significantly different from the hypothesized median value of 3.5 at p < .05.  Findings imply that many PHEI academics tend to be disengaged, under-engaged, or unenthused concerning their work or institution. In light of the findings, some recommendations were made on ways to improve the work engagement among PHEI academics in Sabah.