The Impact of Professional Development, Employee Engagement on Teaching Performance among University Teachers in Shanghai city, China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v4i1.7.2025Keywords:
Professional development, employee engagement, teaching performance, university teachers, Shanghai cityAbstract
In the rapidly evolving higher education sector, particularly in competitive academic environments like Shanghai, China, enhancing teaching performance has become a key priority for universities striving to meet global standards. Professional development (PD) and employee engagement are recognized as critical factors that can significantly influence teaching quality, yet their combined impact on university teachers in Shanghai has not been thoroughly examined. This study aims to investigate how PD and employee engagement contribute to teaching performance among university faculty in Shanghai, with a focus on understanding the mediating role of engagement in this relationship. Using a quantitative research design, data was collected from a sample of 550 university teachers across 23 higher education institutions in Shanghai and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) path analysis. The findings reveal that both PD and employee engagement have a significant positive impact on teaching performance, with engagement showing a slightly stronger direct effect. Additionally, employee engagement mediates the relationship between PD and teaching performance, suggesting that PD not only enhances teachers' skills but also increases their commitment, which further boosts their effectiveness in the classroom. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the synergistic effects of PD and engagement on teaching performance, providing evidence-based insights for university administrators and policymakers aiming to foster high-quality teaching environments.
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