Experience of Material and Non-material Incentives for Teachers in Russian and Foreign Universities: Objectives, Methods and Results

Abstract

Universities, which prepare highly qualified personnel and thus influence the competitiveness of a country and its position in the international community, are constantly subject to scientific analysis. This analysis has the aim to identify problematic situations, search for ways to eliminate them and to develop systems of measures to improve the quality of education. A number of problems in higher education are associated with teachers, who are key participants in the educational process. Opinion polls indicate their dissatisfaction with wages, distrust of the point-rating system that affects their financial remuneration, and a lack of internal motivation to do their work at the required level. Emotional burnout due to heavy workloads and lack of free time is also a problem. These and other issues are more or less common in both Russian and foreign universities. Methods of material and non-material incentives are used to retain teachers in the profession and to increase their productivity. Therefore, the question of which ones are the most effective is of fundamental importance for the proper organization of higher education work. However, at the moment, there is no scientific theory on stimulating teachers’ work, and experts have different, often opposing, views on this issue. The authors of this article identify factors that can help keep teachers in the profession and encourage them to increase their labor productivity.