Reality or utopia? The happiness of university academics in their professional performance: evidence from an emerging country (Mexico)

Abstract

PurposeThe main objective of this work is to design a statistical multiple regression model that helps to empirically explain the impact of economic incentives, management style, emotional health and research activities on university professors in northern Mexico and their perception of happiness.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, the authors analysed the correlation between happiness perception and four independent variables divided into two dimensions: 1. individual dimensions: emotional health and research activities and 2. organisational dimensions: economic incentives and management styles. A questionnaire was developed, tested and analysed for this matter. The authors applied this instrument to 384 university professors of both genders among 1301 in the region.FindingsUsing correlational analysis, the authors confirm a strong and statically significant relationship between all variables. It is also no evidence of multicollinearity. Finally, by applying multiple regression analysis, it was accepted that all independent variables have significance in explaining the emergence of personal happiness (R2 = 42%). Finally, the predictive equation presents possible results with values that confirm the effectiveness of the theoretical model. Results indicate that happiness perception is related to independent variables, with economic incentives being the most vital relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's limitations are that the novel perspective of the explanatory variables of economic incentives, emotional health, management style and research activities needs additional confirmatory studies. Therefore, the authors need to perform studies with new explanatory perspectives. Another limitation of the study may be considering a cross-sectional and not a longitudinal model. This study considered it more appropriate to analyse the explanatory variables that influence and are the outcome of happiness perception for the data collected. Finally, it is essential to highlight that this research has been conducted in an underdeveloped country. Thus, it should consider conducting subsequent confirmatory studies in similar settings and other types of economies, such as in a developed country.Practical implicationsThis paper explains the relevance of two-dimensional activities in the happiness perception of professors. As other studies mention, productivity is correlated to happiness, and production outcomes could be improved if the schools implement policies to promote this perception. Happiness could be a solid strategy to improve academic outcomes, and the results propose several actions to achieve this goal.Social implicationsThis paper addresses an important activity of professors from a perspective of happiness perception. Thus, putting the professor as the leading relevant agent in schools, the authors propose a multivariate analysis of the outcomes of professors' jobs. Both the schools and the professors have their own goals at their own levels. If policies are created based on persons, in this case, professors, to improve organizational goals, then it might profoundly impact social actions inside the schools.Originality/valueThis paper increases the literature on happiness perception studies and proposes the examination of the relationship between perceived personal happiness and dimensions that influence this perception; these are from two kinds: 1. individual dimensions: emotional health and research activities and 2. organisational dimensions: economic incentives and management styles, which is an original approach and open discussion to further new approaches to this study.