Mapping Organizational Drivers of Non-Academic Staff Performance During University Autonomy Reform: Evidence from an Indonesian Public University
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29080/ipr.v8i2.1764Keywords:
Administrative burden, Institutional reinforcement, Organizational resources, Organizational learning, University non-academic staff performanceAbstract
University autonomy reforms reshape governance structures and administrative systems, yet their implications for non-academic staff performance remain underexamined. Existing studies often interpret employee performance through individual constructs such as motivation, engagement, or job satisfaction, providing limited insight into how organizational systems shape everyday work. This study investigates how non-academic staff perceived factors influencing their performance during the transition of Universitas Brawijaya to a legal-entity public university (PTN-BH). Using inductive thematic analysis of open-ended survey responses from 114 administrative staff, the study identifies four interrelated domains shaping performance: structural job demands, organizational resources, development mechanisms, and institutional reinforcement. Administrative burden and procedural complexity constrain performance capacity, while leadership support, collegial environments, and infrastructure buffer these pressures. Staff-defined development priorities support organizational learning, and institutional reinforcement sustains long-term engagement. The study proposes a systemic theory of staff performance, showing that performance emerges from the alignment of governance structures, organizational resources, and institutional support systems in reforming universities.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., M. Ameen, B. M., & Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6, 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198
Akour, M., & Alenezi, M. (2022). Higher Education Future in the Era of Digital Transformation. Education Sciences, 12(11), 784. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12110784
Alif, S., Sultana, F., Islam, M. I., Rahman, M. M., Rahman, M. A., & Polman, R. (2024). Health and wellbeing of staff working at higher education institutions globally: A multi-national cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 24, 1256. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18909-6
Avenali, A., Daraio, C., & Wolszczak-Derlacz, J. (2022). Determinants of the incidence of non-academic staff in European and US HEIs. Higher Education 2022 85:1, 85(1), 55–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10734-022-00819-7
Azis, M. F. (2021). Transformasi Universitas Brawijaya dari Perguruan Tinggi Negeri Badan Layanan Umum menuju Badan Hukum: Strategi pada masa transisi dalam aspek keuangan.
Backhaus, L., & Vogel, R. (2022). Leadership in the public sector: A meta‐analysis of styles, outcomes, contexts, and methods. Public Administration Review, 82(6), 986–1003. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13516
Baltaru, R.-D. (2019). Do non-academic professionals enhance universities’ performance? Reputation vs. organisation. Studies in Higher Education, 44(7), 1183–1196. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2017.1421156
Benish, A., Tarshish, N., Holler, R., & Gal, J. (2024). Types of administrative burden reduction strategies: who, what, and how. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 34(3), 349–358. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muad028
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021a). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021b). To saturate or not to saturate? Questioning data saturation as a useful concept for thematic analysis and sample-size rationales. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 13(2), 201–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1704846
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000196
Byrne, D. (2022). A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity, 56(3), 1391–1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01182-y
Camilleri, M. A. (2021). Evaluating service quality and performance of higher education institutions: a systematic review and a post-COVID-19 outlook. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences, 13(2), 268–281. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQSS-03-2020-0034
Cavalcanti, M. F. R. (2017). Guidelines for Qualitative Research in Organization Studies: Controversy and Possibilities. Administração: Ensino e Pesquisa, 18(3), 457–488. https://doi.org/10.13058/raep.2017.v18n3.522
Claes, S., Vandepitte, S., Clays, E., & Annemans, L. (2023). How job demands and job resources contribute to our overall subjective well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1220263. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1220263
Corpuz, J. C. G. (2023). Enhancing Well-Being in the University Workplace: The Context of Higher Educational Institution. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 14. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319231181488
Daigneault, P. (2025). Administrative Burden Revisited: Advancing Research and Practice. Canadian Public Administration, 68(1), 159–172. https://doi.org/10.1111/capa.70000
de Jong, S., & del Junco, C. (2024). How do professional staff influence academic knowledge development? A literature review and research agenda. Studies in Higher Education, 49(6), 1042–1065. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2258155
Douglas, V., Pattison, N., Warren, K., & Karanika-Murray, M. (2025). Wellbeing in the higher education sector: A qualitative study of staff perceptions in UK universities. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health, 40(2), 135–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2024.2341741
Giesenbauer, B., Müller-Christ, G., Giesenbauer, B., & Müller-Christ, G. (2020). University 4.0: Promoting the Transformation of Higher Education Institutions toward Sustainable Development. Sustainability 2020, Vol. 12, 12(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU12083371
Hahn, S., Kroehne, U., & Merk, S. (2024). Improving and Analyzing Open-Ended Survey Responses. Zeitschrift Für Psychologie, 232(3), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000566
Hameduddin, T., & Engbers, T. (2022). Leadership and public service motivation: a systematic synthesis. International Public Management Journal, 25(1), 86–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/10967494.2021.1884150
Hammoudi Halat, D., Soltani, A., Dalli, R., Alsarraj, L., & Malki, A. (2023). Understanding and Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being among University Faculty: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(13), 4425. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12134425
Hashmi, M. A., Al Ghaithi, A., & Sartawi, K. (2023). Impact of flexible work arrangements on employees’ perceived productivity, organisational commitment and perceived work quality: a United Arab Emirates case-study. Competitiveness Review, 33(2), 332–363. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-10-2020-0130
Hasibuan, R. P. S., Fahmi Natigor Nasution, Rina Br Buki, & Robert Sibarani. (2025). What Drives Financial Management in Indonesian State Universities With Legal Entity Status (PTN BH)? Evidence From Internal Oversight Units. Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government, 23(11), 364–387. https://doi.org/10.52152/801827
Iddrisu, I. (2023). Influence of staff performance on public university operations: Examining motivation and retention factors. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100744
Iddrisu, I., & Mohammed, B. (2024). Investigating the influence of employee voice on public sector performance: The mediating dynamics of organizational trust and culture. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 10, 101096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101096
Iddrisu, I., & Mohammed, B. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Leadership Styles on Organizational Effectiveness: the Mediating Role of Employee Motivation and Engagement. Public Organization Review, 25(3), 1111–1133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-025-00845-w
Indra, V., Nasution, A., Prasojo, E., Jannah, L. M., & Yumitro, G. (2020). Governance of Autonomous Higher Education Institution toward World-Class University: A Case Study at the Universitas Indonesia. JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS, 7(10), 1641–1651.
Jafri, M., Razak, A., Osman, Z., Razniza, N., & Nadzri, M. (2025). Enhancing Employee Performance in the Public Sector: The Interplay of Public Service Motivation, Leadership Style, Organizational Commitment, and Satisfaction. In International Journal of Business, Marketing and Communication (Vol. 5, Issue 40).
Jo, H., & Shin, D. (2025). The impact of recognition, fairness, and leadership on employee outcomes: A large-scale multi-group analysis. PLOS ONE, 20(1), e0312951. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312951
Kardoyo, K., Pitaloka, L. K., Rozman, R., & Hapsoro, B. B. (2019). Analyzing Universities Service Quality to Student Satisfaction; Academic and Non-Academic Analyses. International Journal of Higher Education, 9(1), 126. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v9n1p126
Kebede, S., & Wang, A. (2022). Organizational Justice and Employee Readiness for Change: The Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 806109. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.2022.806109
Kim, H., Sefcik, J. S., & Bradway, C. (2016). Characteristics of Qualitative Descriptive Studies: A Systematic Review. Research in Nursing & Health, 40(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1002/NUR.21768
Kinman, G., & Wray, S. (2020). Well-being in academic employees –a benchmarking approach. Handbook of Research on Stress and Well-Being in the Public Sector, 152–166. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788970358.00019
Kloutsiniotis, P. V., & Mihail, D. M. (2020). The effects of high performance work systems in employees’ service-oriented OCB. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 90, 102610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102610
Kuczynski, L., & Daly, K. (2003). Qualitative Methods for Inductive (Theory-Generating) Research: Psychological and Sociological Approaches. In Handbook of Dynamics in Parent-Child Relations (pp. 373–392). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452229645.n18
Lim, W. M. (2025). What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 33(2), 199–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264619
Liu, L. (2016). Using Generic Inductive Approach in Qualitative Educational Research: A Case Study Analysis. Journal of Education and Learning, 5(2), 129. https://doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n2p129
Loncar, M., Vukmirovic, J., Vukmirovic, A., Vukmirovic, D., Lasica, R., Loncar, M., Vukmirovic, J., Vukmirovic, A., Vukmirovic, D., & Lasica, R. (2025). Navigating Hybrid Work: An Optimal Office–Remote Mix and the Manager–Employee Perception Gap in IT. Sustainability 2025, Vol. 17, 17(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU17146542
Marozva, R. R., & Pelser, A.-M. (2025). Social Well-Being Strategies for Academics Working in a Hybrid Work Environment. Administrative Sciences, 15(9), 347. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15090347
Mather, M. F., & Bam, N. E. (2025). Factors Influencing Academic Staff Satisfaction and Retention in Higher Education: A Literature Review. European Journal of Education, 60(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.70025
Mohamad, F., & Abiddin, N. Z. (2024). Enhancing Employee Well-Being and Productivity in Evolving Work Environments. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 13(3), 289. https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2024-0081
Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A Step-by-Step Process of Thematic Analysis to Develop a Conceptual Model in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789
Nga, P. T., Shamim, A., & Salleh, R. (2025). Developing and validating a scale for non-academic staff’s service competencies in higher education. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2450127
Oh, I. S., Blau, G., Han, J. H., & Kim, S. (2017). Human capital factors affecting human resource (HR) managers’ commitment to HR and the mediating role of perceived organizational value on HR. Human Resource Management. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/hrm.21768
Pandey, A., Maheshwari, M., & Malik, N. (2025). A systematic literature review on employee well-being: Mapping multi-level antecedents, moderators, mediators and future research agenda. Acta Psychologica, 258, 105080. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ACTPSY.2025.105080
Phillips, A., Borry, P., & Shabani, M. (2017). Research ethics review for the use of anonymized samples and data: A systematic review of normative documents. Accountability in Research, 24(8), 483–496. https://doi.org/10.1080/08989621.2017.1396896
Pietilä, A.-M., Nurmi, S.-M., Halkoaho, A., & Kyngäs, H. (2020). Qualitative Research: Ethical Considerations. In H. Kyngäs, K. Mikkonen, & M. Kääriäinen (Eds.), The Application of Content Analysis in Nursing Science Research (pp. 49–69). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30199-6_6
Rahmatia, A., Fauzan, A., & Sulistyowati, T. (2025). Privatizing State Universities: Capitalism and Commercialization in Indonesia’s Legal Entity State Universities (PTN-BH) Policy. Journal of Scientific Research, Education, and Technology, 4(1), 98–107. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.58526/jsret.v4i1.654
Riza, M. F., Hutahayan, B., & Chong, H. Y. (2025). Fostering high-performing organizations in higher education: the effect of participative leadership, organizational culture, and innovation on organizational performance and commitment. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2448884
Rohmah, P. A., Muhammad, A., Utami, D. D., & Maulana, I. N. H. (2024). Peran Pengetahuan dan Kekuasaan dalam Implementasi PTN-BH di Indonesia. JURNAL Al-AZHAR INDONESIA SERI HUMANIORA, 9(2), 80. https://doi.org/10.36722/sh.v9i2.2813
Scheytt, C., & Pflüger, J. (2024). Conducting Qualitative Research in Organizations Ethically: Organizationality as a Heuristic to Identify Ethical Challenges. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069241237548
Schneider, J., & Bichsel, J. (2025). The 2025 higher education employee retention survey. CUPA-HR. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED675833.pdf
Sokolic, D., Croitoru, G., Florea, N. V., Robescu, V. O., & Cosac, A. (2024). The Effect of Leadership Styles on Employee Motivation and Organizational Performance in Public Sector Organizations. Valahian Journal of Economic Studies, 15(1), 53–72. https://doi.org/10.2478/vjes-2024-0005
Sørlie, H. O., Hetland, J., Bakker, A. B., Espevik, R., & Olsen, O. K. (2022). Daily autonomy and job performance: Does person-organization fit act as a key resource? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 133, 103691. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVB.2022.103691
Stephen, V. A. (2024). Key Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction among Academic Staff in the University. Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies, 12(03), 399–414. https://doi.org/10.4236/jhrss.2024.123022
Szromek, A. R., Wolniak, R., Szromek, A. R., & Wolniak, R. (2020). Job Satisfaction and Problems among Academic Staff in Higher Education. Sustainability 2020, Vol. 12, 12(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/SU12124865
Tong, A., Sainsbury, P., & Craig, J. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042
Veles, N., Graham, C., & Ovaska, C. (2023). University professional staff roles, identities, and spaces of interaction: systematic review of literature published in 2000–2020. Policy Reviews in Higher Education, 7(2), 127–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322969.2023.2193826
Wang, Y. (2024). Exploring the impact of workload, organizational support, and work engagement on teachers’ psychological wellbeing: a structural equation modeling approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1345740. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1345740
Whitsed, C., Girardi, A., Fitzgerald, S., & Williams, J. (2025). Exploring academic staff engagement in a time of crisis and change through the lens of a multilevel job demand-resources analysis. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 47(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2024.2371076
Woelert, P. (2023). Administrative burden in higher education institutions: a conceptualisation and a research agenda. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 45(4), 409–422. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2023.2190967
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ilhamuddin Ilhamuddin, Cholichul Hadi, Nono Hery Yoenanto; Muallifah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work




