Odília Gouveia

What factors of satisfaction and motivation are affecting the development of the academic career in Portuguese higher education institutions

de De-zembro, 399 — 4450-227, Matosinhos, Portugal. E-mail: lmachado@cipes.up.pt.*** Doutoramento em engenharia quimica (quimica termodinâmica). Professor e Investigador da Universidade de Lisboa (UL) e do Cipes. Endereco: Alameda da Universidade, 1600, Lisboa, Portugl. E-mail: vmsoares@fc.ul.pt.**** Doutoramento em ciencias da educacao. Professor e investigador do Instituto Politecnico de Leiria (IPL) e do Cipes. Endereco: Rua 1

Academic job satisfaction and motivation: findings from a nationwide study in Portuguese higher education

Academic staff is a key resource in higher education institutions (HEIs) and therefore has a major role in the achievement of the objectives of these institutions. Satisfied and well-motivated academic staff can build a national and international reputation for themselves and their institutions. Moreover, the performance of academic staff impacts student learning. In this context, the study of academic staff job satisfaction and motivation to perform their professional activities becomes crucial, especially as higher education is traversed by multiple changes. The purpose of this paper is to present and analyze the findings of a nationwide study on satisfaction and motivation of academics. All academics working in Portuguese HEIs were invited to complete a survey online. The data obtained from 4529 academics were extensively analyzed and findings are presented here along with their implications for HEIs in Portugal.

Job Satisfaction of Academics: Does Gender Matter?.

Academic work in higher education has been influenced by global trends such as accountability, massification and deteriorating financial support. Within this broader context, the performance of academic staff as teachers and researchers has an impact on student learning and implications for the quality of higher education institutions (HEIs). Therefore, satisfaction of academic staff is critical to the effective functioning of HEIs. This article reports on a study of academic career satisfaction in Portugal and gender differences with respect to academic job satisfaction. It found that male respondents in HEIs were in higher positions than women, but less so in private institutions. It also analysed some aspects of the professional context in which women and men work in order to explain similarities and/or differences in job satisfaction. The main difference was that women were less satisfied with personal and professional development, especially the balance between work and family.

Redes sociais e qualidade de vida dos idosos: uma revisão e análise crítica da literatura

Several studies have documented the importance of social networks for quality of life (QL) in old age. This article presents a review and critical analysis of the literature on the relationship between the social networks of the elderly and their QL/well-being. A survey using interdisciplinary search engines [Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scholar Google, Science Direct and Online Knowledge Library (b-on)], followed by an in-depth examination of the 37 documents subsequently identified, selected based on content, the geographical context of the study and its publication date, suggested a number of tendencies. In the first place, networks of friends have a greater impact on the QL/well-being of elderly persons than family networks. Secondly, the positive effect of the existence of more than one type of relationship was revealed (such as simultaneous friendships and family relationships). Finally, literature suggests emotional closeness has a positive impact on QL/well-being. The present study exposed the lack of longitudinal studies into the causality between network characteristics and QL/well-being. It also revealed the lack of research on the relationship between social networks and QL/well-being in elderly persons living alone. One problematic aspect relates to the fact that few studies provide a definition of the QL measures they adopt, or the rationale behind the manner of their operationalization of the concept.Several studies have documented the importance of social networks for quality of life (QL) in old age. This article presents a review and critical analysis of the literature on the relationship between the social networks of the elderly and their QL/well-being. A survey using interdisciplinary search engines [Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scholar Google, Science Direct and Online Knowledge Library (b-on)], followed by an in-depth examination of the 37 documents subsequently identified, selected based on content, Palavras-chave: Idoso. Rede Social. Qualidade de Vida. Bem-estar. Revisão. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562016019.160017

Satisfação e motivação no trabalho: um estudo sobre os docentes do ensino superior em Portugal

Os academicos constituem um importante grupo nas Instituicoes de Ensino Superior (IES), dada a relevância do seu papel na prossecucao dos objetivos das instituicoes. A centralidade do papel do corpo docente faz dos academicos como que escultores da cultura institucional com implicacoes na qualidade da instituicao e no sucesso dos estudantes. Existem muitos fatores que contribuem para minar o empenho do pessoal docente para com as suas instituicoes e as suas carreiras. A satisfacao no trabalho e importante para a revitalizacao da motivacao dos docentes e para manter vivo o seu entusiasmo. Conhecem‑se varios estudos internacionais sobre este tema, contudo muito pouco e conhecido no contexto do ensino superior em Portugal. Este artigo refere‑se a um estudo em curso, financiado pela FCT, que incide sobre a satisfacao e motivacao do pessoal docente das IES em Portugal.

Academic Job Satisfaction and Motivation: Perspectives from a Nation-Wide Study in Public Higher Education Institutions in Portugal

The centrality of the faculty role makes it a primary sculptor of higher education institutions (HEIs). The performance of academic staff such as teachers and researchers has an impact on student learning and implications for the quality HEIs and therefore their contribution to society. Thus the academic staff can, with appropriate support, build a national and international reputation for themselves and for the institution in the professional areas, in research and in publishing.