Effect of Institutional Support Mechanisms on Academic Productivity: The Moderating Role of Social Isolation in Universities of Kerala
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
This study examines the effect of Institutional Support Mechanisms on Academic Productivity among university students in Kerala, with particular emphasis on the moderating role of Social Isolation. The study was conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate students from the University of Kerala, University of Calicut, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Mahatma Gandhi (MG) University, and Kannur University. A pilot study involving 100 respondents was initially conducted to validate the questionnaire, followed by the distribution of 620 structured questionnaires through online platforms and academic networks. A total of 548 responses were received, out of which 502 valid responses were used for final analysis. The findings reveal that Institutional Support Mechanisms significantly and positively influence Academic Productivity, while Social Isolation negatively affects students’ academic engagement, motivation, and performance. The moderation analysis further confirms that Social Isolation weakens the positive relationship between institutional support and academic productivity. The study highlights the importance of strengthening institutional support systems alongside promoting social connectedness within universities to enhance students’ academic performance and well-being.
Downloads
References
Ahmed, A. A., Almishaal, A. A., Hassan, S.-u.-N., Kamel, R. M., Atteya, M. R. M., Obeidat, S. T., Abdelmaguid, H. S., Alanazi, A. A., Villacorte, L. M., & Alghatani, F. D. (2023). Types and sources of social support accessible to university students with disabilities in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare, 11(4), 464. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040464
Al-Juaid, A. M. (2019). Impact of lack of social support on mental health and academic achievement among international students in United States. Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 3(6), 120–106. https://doi.org/10.26389/AJSRP.G240119
Altbach, P. G. (2013). The international imperative in higher education. Sense Publishers.
Anusha, P. Nair et al (2025). Social isolation tremendously affects suicide ideation among adolescents: Examining the moderating mechanism of grievance redressal cell activities in higher educational institutions with special reference to Palakkad district. International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences, 13(1), 256–265.
Astin, A. W. (1999). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Development, 40(5), 518–529. (No DOI available)
Austin, A. E. (2002). Preparing the next generation of faculty: Graduate school as socialization to the academic career. The Journal of Higher Education, 73(1), 94–122.
Austria, A. J. R., Celso, N. S. R., Conge, A. L., et al. (2025). Perceived effects of parental separation on social isolation among first-year college students’ academic success. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.906000272
Auwal Halabi, K., Shahrill, M., & Roslan, R. (2025). Antisocial behaviour and academic performance of undergraduate students in Nigeria: The mediating effect of social support. The Journal of Behavioural Science, 20(2), 30–43. https://doi.org/10.69523/tjbs.2025.279482
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W.H. Freeman.
Benner, A. D. (2011). Latino adolescents’ loneliness, academic performance, and the buffering nature of friendships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(5), 556–567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9561-2
Bhadra, P., & Garg, D. (2023). Influence of institutional support systems on stress management and mental health resilience among professional students in South 24 Parganas. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 6(6). https://doi.org/10.15680/IJMRSET.2023.0606057
Bland, C. J., & Ruffin, M. T. (1992). Characteristics of a productive research environment: Literature review. Academic Medicine, 67(6), 385–397.
Bland, C. J., Center, B. A., Finstad, D. A., Risbey, K. R., & Staples, J. G. (2005). A theoretical, practical, predictive model of faculty and department research productivity. Academic Medicine, 80*(3), 225–237. [https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-20050300000003]
Boschma, R. (2005). Proximity and innovation: A critical assessment. Regional Studies, 39(1), 61–74.
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood.
Bozeman, B., & Gaughan, M. (2007). Impacts of grants and contracts on academic researchers’ interactions with industry. Research Policy, 36(5), 694–707.
Bu, F., et al. (2021). Impacts of COVID-19 and social isolation on academic staff and students at universities: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 21, 1213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11040-z
Calati, R., Ferrari, C., Brittner, M., Oasi, O., Olié, E., Carvalho, A. F., & Courtet, P. (2019). Suicidal thoughts and behaviors and social isolation: A narrative review of the literature. Journal of Affective Disorders, 245, 653–667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.02
Cheek, S. M., Goldston, D. B., Erkanli, A., Massing-Schaffer, M., & Liu, R. T. (2020). Social rejection and suicidal ideation and attempt among adolescents following hospitalization: A prospective study. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 48(1), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-019-00580-z
Das, S., & Samanta, D. (2020). Research performance of state universities in Kerala: Trends and challenges. Kerala Journal of Higher Education, 5(2), 45–58.
Dr. Byju. K et al. (2025) Exploring the Relationship between Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Academic Performance: Analyzing the Mediating Role of Health & Yoga Club among College Students in Kerala.” International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences, vol. 14, no. 4, 2025, pp. 354–362.
Eisenberger, R., Huntington, R., Hutchison, S., & Sowa, D. (1986). Perceived organizational support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 71(3), 500–507. (https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.71.3.500)
Fisher, A. J., Phelps, E. A., & Kitchener, K. S. (2019). Social networks and academic productivity in higher education institutions. Studies in Higher Education, 44(8), 1345–1360.
Kahn, K. B., & Eesley, D. T. (2006). Entrepreneurial intentions of faculty: Institutional support, resources, and norms. Journal of Business Venturing, 21(5), 735–760.
Khong, E. M., Seow, A. N., & Lam, S. Y. (2024). The influence of perceived institutional support and social competencies on online learning satisfaction: A private higher education student perspective. Issues and Perspectives in Business and Social Sciences, 202–218. https://doi.org/10.33093/ipbss.2024.4.2.7
Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they matter. Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Kumar, R., & Sahoo, C. K. (2019). Academic collaboration and research productivity in Indian universities. Indian Journal of Educational Research, 8(1), 23–34.
Kyaw San, C., & Guo, H. (2022). Institutional support, social support, and academic performance: Mediating role of academic adaptation. European Journal of Psychology of Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-022-00657-2
Leahey, E. (2016). From sole investigator to team scientist: Trends in the practice and study of research collaboration. Annual Review of Sociology, 42, 81–100.
Leal Filho, W., Wall, T., Rayman-Bacchus, L., et al. (2021). Impacts of COVID-19 and social isolation on academic staff and students at universities: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 21, 1213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11040-z
Li, J., & Collins, P. (2021). Social capital, institutional support, and research productivity in academia. Social Science Quarterly, 102(3), 1189–1205.
Long, J. S., Allison, P. D., & McGinnis, R. (2013). Rank advancement in academic careers: Social isolation and productivity. American Sociological Review, 78(3), 456–480.
Martirosyan, N. M., Bustamante, R., & Saxon, D. P. (2019). Academic and social support services for international students: Current practices. Journal of International Students, 9(1), 275–294. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v9i1.275
Mizani, H., Cahyadi, A., Hendryadi, H., Salamah, S., & Sari, S. R. (2022). Loneliness, student engagement, and academic achievement during emergency remote teaching during COVID-19: The role of the God locus of control. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9, 305. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01328-9
Nair, M., & James, J. (2017). Faculty research productivity in Indian higher education institutions. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(14), 45–52.
Paglis, L. L., Green, S. G., & Bauer, T. N. (2006). Does adviser mentoring add value? A longitudinal study of mentoring and doctoral student outcomes. Research in Higher Education, 47(4), 451–476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-005-9003-2
Pinheiro, R., Geschwind, L., & Aarrevaara, T. (2012). Institutional governance and research productivity in higher education. Higher Education Policy, 25(3), 379–396.
Rahimi, H., Etedali, H., & Latifhadad, M. (2025). The impact of social well-being on students’ academic motivation and academic achievement: A case study from Iran. BMC Medical Education, 25, 1598. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-08109-3
Shin, J. C., & Cummings, W. K. (2010). Multilevel analysis of academic publishing across disciplines: Research preference, collaboration, and time on research. Scientometrics, 85(2), 581–594. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-010-0236-2
Tinto, V. (2012). Completing college: Rethinking institutional action.University of Chicago Press.
Tshililo, T. Y., Ravhuhali, F., & Tshifhumulo, R. (2025). International students’ silent struggles in higher education spaces: Towards an inclusive support framework. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v14i8.4538
Williams, S. N., Thakore, B. K., & McGee, R. (2018). Social isolation and the academic pipeline: Implications for early career researchers. CBE—Life Sciences Education, 17(3), 1–13.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in our journal are licensed under CC-BY 4.0, which permits authors to retain copyright of their work. This license allows for unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of the articles, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and the source.