The relationship between chinese teachers' willingness and behaviour in participating among university governance / Wang Wenjing

Centre for Human Sciences

Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang - 2025

Includes bibliographical references

This study was conducted with the aim of exploring in more depth the relationship between teachers' readiness and their actual behaviour in the educational administration of universities in China. Along with the country's policy emphasis on reform and the establishment of participatory and democratic governance structures in higher education, teachers are expected to play a more active role in decision-making processes in universities. However, scientific evidence shows that there has been a persistent gap between teachers' willingness to engage as well as their actual involvement. Previous studies showed more theoretical study findings with relatively limited study results. Therefore, a study that uses an integrated theoretical framework that includes Achievement Motivation Theory, Planned Behaviour Theory, Governance Theory and Stakeholder Theory is needed to explore this issue in more depth. This quantitative study involved a total of 480 university teachers in Hebei Province as respondents out of a total population of 79,147 people. The survey instrument in the form of questionnaires was used to collect data related to demographic characteristics, achievement motivations, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control of behaviour, willingness to participate, as well as actual governance behaviours. Statistical analysis was used to analyse demographic data and key factors influencing teachers' participation in university governance. The results of the study found that there was a significant relationship between the key variables, where the teacher willingness factor proved to be a significant predictor of their actual participation in university governance. In addition, the factor of teaching experience shows that more experienced teachers are increasingly able to express their willingness by being actively involved in university governance. Several holistic solution measures to address this issue were also highlighted. All parties including the government, university management, teachers and stakeholders must work together to ensure that this issue can be overcome and addressed as well as possible to realize a university governance system in China that will be more reformative and competitive in the future. KEY WORDS: Teacher, University Governance, Willingness, Actual Behaviour, Attitude