Resilience Transforms Challenges: Fostering Academicians' Job Resilience in Open, Distance, and Digital Education Higher Institutions

Abstract

This study investigates the importance of job resilience among academicians in open, distance, and digital education (ODDE) higher education institutions, emphasising the need for effective support systems that foster resilience in rapidly evolving educational environments. The primary aim is to explore the relationships between organisational support, social support, coping strategies, self-efficacy, and job resilience, providing insights for enhancing faculty well-being and performance. A survey was conducted to collect primary data, utilising a purposive sampling method that yielded a total of 314 clean data points suitable for analysis. Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), which facilitated rigorous hypothesis testing. Results revealed significant positive relationships, with organisational support and coping strategies showing strong influences on job resilience, while self-efficacy emerged as a critical mediating factor. The study highlights the need for educational institutions to implement comprehensive support systems, enhance faculty training, and foster collaborative environments. Suggestions for future research include exploring the long-term impacts of support systems on job resilience, identifying specific coping strategies that are most effective, and examining cultural differences in the perception of support in academic contexts. The implications of this study underline the necessity of prioritising faculty support in ODDE institutions to improve job satisfaction, retention, and overall educational quality. By fostering resilience among academicians, institutions can cultivate an engaged and efficient workforce capable of adapting to the challenges inherent in digital learning environments. This research not only contributes to the theoretical understanding of resilience but also informs practical interventions aimed at enhancing the academic experience within the dynamic landscape of higher education.