INVESTIGATING THE MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB SATISFACTION IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE AND FACULTY PRODUCTIVITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Higher education institutions depend significantly on faculty members for achieving academic excellence, research advancement, and institutional development. Faculty productivity is influenced by various organizational and individual factors, among which workplace experience and job satisfaction play a crucial role. The present study investigates the mediating role of job satisfaction in the relationship between workplace experience and faculty productivity in higher education institutions. The study was conducted among 50 teaching staff members from higher education institutions in Pune using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The constructs considered in the study include Workplace Experience (WE), Job Satisfaction (JS), and Faculty Productivity (FP). Statistical techniques such as descriptive analysis, reliability and validity assessment, correlation analysis were employed for data analysis. The findings indicate that workplace experience has a significant positive relationship with job satisfaction and faculty productivity. Furthermore, job satisfaction significantly influences faculty productivity and acts as a mediating variable between workplace experience and faculty productivity. The study concludes that a supportive workplace environment, effective organizational support, recognition, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance contribute to higher faculty satisfaction and productivity. The findings provide valuable insights for educational administrators and policymakers in developing strategies to enhance faculty performance and institutional effectiveness.