Burnout, Leadership, and Institutional Effectiveness: Evidence from Pakistani Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This paper also explores the association between organizational performance and employee burnout in the sector of higher education of Pakistan and how the perceived leadership support mediates the correlation. With mounting workloads, growing resource demands, and more and more expectations on universities to perform, academic and administrative employees are finding themselves more susceptible to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and less professional efficacy. One of the arguments of the study is that burnout is a serious threat to the productivity of the institution, the quality of the provided services, and the performance of the whole organization. In the empirical analysis, it has been found that the perception of the leadership support is a key mediating factor as it helps to reduce the stress and increase the motivation, as well as provide supportive environment in the workplace. The adverse consequences of burnout on performance are undermined significantly when leaders empathize, recognize and provide guidance. The research paper identifies the necessity of an intervention that is led by the leader, enhanced organizational policies, and well-being programs to enhance resilience among staff and allow a sustainable performance of institutions of higher learning. The findings are useful in guiding policymakers, college administrators and leadership practitioners.

Keywords: Employee Burnout, Organizational Performance, Perceived Leadership Support, Higher Education, Workplace Stress, Leadership Practices, Employee Well-Being, Pakistan