THE INFLUENCE OF INNOVATIVE ORGANISATIONAL CULTURES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND STRESS MANAGEMENT IN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The contemporary academic institution operates within a hyper-competitive and rapidly evolving landscape, characterized by pressures for research excellence, funding acquisition, and pedagogical innovation. While such an environment demands agility and creativity, it often engenders chronic stress and adversely affects the psychological well-being of academic staff. This paper posits that the prevailing organizational culture within these institutions is a critical, yet frequently overlooked, determinant in mediating these outcomes. Moving beyond traditional, top-down support mechanisms, this research examines the specific influence of innovative organizational cultures—characterized by psychological safety, autonomy, collaborative inquiry, and a growth-oriented mindset—on employee well-being and stress resilience. It argues that such cultures do not merely mitigate negative stressors but actively foster an environment where challenge is reframed as opportunity, thereby enhancing both individual flourishing and institutional vitality. By synthesizing contemporary research from organizational psychology and higher education studies, this paper provides a theoretical framework for understanding how deliberate cultural transformation can serve as a strategic intervention for sustainable human resource development in academia.