The influence of professional development, work-life balance and flexible working hours of lecturer performance in private higher education institutions

This study examined the influence of professional development, work-life balance, and flexible working hours that are the key components of indirect compensation that effect on lecturer performance in Malaysia’s private higher education institutions (Institut Pengajian Tinggi Swasta, IPTS). Guided by Vroom’s Expectancy Theory, the research aimed to determine the extent to which these factors contribute to sustaining motivation and enhancing productivity among lecturers. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire distributed to lecturers across selected IPTS in Malaysia. A total of 367 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability testing, normality analysis, Spearman’s rho correlation, and regression analysis. The findings indicated significant positive relationships between all three independent variables and lecturer performance, highlighting the pivotal role of indirect compensation in fostering lecturers’ engagement and achieving institutional goals. This study enriches the literature on human resource practices in higher education and provides practical insights for institutional leaders in designing strategies to improve lecturer performance. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed