PurposeThe rapid increase in higher education institutions (HEIs) can affect the provision of quality education especially when there are no clear integrated objectives to serve the overall HEI as well as the lack of management related to human resource needs. The quality of HEIs relies on the performance of their employees who are considered as one of the most important resources. Several studies demonstrated that the concept of talent management is not well defined for HEIs and considered it as a new study; however, researchers emphasized on its importance to improve the employees' performance and to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. The main aim of this paper is to propose a faculty equity framework for talent optimization in HEIs to help these institutions to recruit the right people, manage and motivate them to achieve their future goals and serve the best quality.Design/methodology/approachThe faculty equity framework criteria are derived from the standards of national and international quality assurance and accreditation agencies which are grouped into three categories: alignment, capabilities and engagement. These criteria are used to outrank faculties and determine the entrepreneurial champions. As the framework does not require setting weights for these criteria, the authors propose to adapt the ELECTRE IV to outrank faculties.FindingsThe proposed framework has given faculty a chance to assimilate the HEI dominant culture and guidance to improve their performance through comparing themselves to entrepreneurial champions who are better aligned, capable and engaged. Also, the framework offers the HEI an opportunity to effectively retain talents and achieve maximized outcomes.Originality/valueThis research provides HEIs with a practical guide on how to enhance practices, policies and strategies regarding their human capital in order to achieve their missions and strategic goals.

This paper aims to present a multiple criteria decision model that supports faculty recruitment for business schools in the post-COVID-19 era. The greatest challenge that business schools are facing is to identify relevant criteria for faculty recruitment that can help to sustain their activities in today's highly competitive and international market. Also, these criteria should be in line with the increased focus on faculty qualification by the 2020 Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards.