The influence of dark leadership on academic well-being in private universities

Yeap, Celine Shi Ern and Eng, Yin Ming and Lam, Yee Syuen (2025) The influence of dark leadership on academic well-being in private universities. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the impact of key organizational elements on academic well-being in a Malaysian private university context under the rubric of dark leadership. While academic well-being has been studied in a variety of contexts, little is known about how unhealthy leadership practices impact academic well-being within the Malaysian private higher education system. This study addresses this information gap by exploring the impact of faculty autonomy, communication, trust, and resource allocation practices on academic well-being. It also highlights the importance of cultivating ethical and supportive leadership to mitigate the negative impacts of dark leadership and provides guidance for developing targeted strategies and policies to improve the overall academic environment and safeguard faculty well-being. The study employed a quantitative approach and utilized a survey method for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed to 350 academic staff in private universities, who were selected using a convenience sampling technique. A total of 350 completed and usable questionnaires were returned, meeting the minimum sample size of 341 based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The results indicate that communication and faculty autonomy significantly influence academic well-being. The research findings indicate that faculty autonomy, communication, trust, and resource allocation practices have a significant impact on academic well-being. These findings help identify the factors influencing the academic well-being of lecturers and professors at private universities and also provide guidance for future research on how to enhance academic well-being. This study identifies four factors influencing academic well-being: faculty autonomy, communication, trust, and resource allocation practices. Therefore, educational authorities, leaders, educational institutions, and other relevant departments should consider these factors when working to enhance academic well-being, thereby contributing to improved overall motivation and happiness levels. Keywords: dark leadership; academic well-being; trust; faculty autonomy; private universities Subject Area: HD28-70 Management. Industrial management

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