A Conceptual Study of Psychological Capital Mediates the Relationship Between Positive Emotions and Work Engagement: Pathways to Achieving Sdgs in Academic Organisations

ABSTRACT

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are fundamental to fostering sustainable advancement in regions where sustainable strategies are implemented. The positive perspective on personal strengths and resources in academic organizations during the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a high interest in positive emotions and psychological capital in the education setting. Positive emotions and psychological capital are the variables viewed as a sense of well-being and positive attitude in academic organizations. Thus, this study supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 (good health and well-being), while work engagement as the primary variable promotes SDG 4 (quality education). An engaged educator can ensure adaptivity and enhance performance to provide quality education. Nevertheless, only limited studies examined the interaction between these variables in the academic context. Previous studies focused only on students and job performance outcomes among corporate employees. However, none focused on academics’ well-being for establishing sustainability-related practices. This study, guided by the broaden-and-build theory, aims to examine the association between job-related positive emotions and work engagement and the mediating role of psychological capital. This study adopts a quantitative research technique, while a simple random method will be employed for data collection. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) methodology will be utilized for data analysis. The sample selection will be Malaysian HEIs academicians from different disciplines in line with the SDGs. Academicians’ job-related positive emotions are anticipated to relate to better work engagement through positive relationships with psychological capital levels (i.e., efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience). This study will provide first-hand information on the relationship between job-related positive emotions, psychological capital, and work engagement among Malaysian HEIs academicians.