THE UNSPOKEN BURDENS: OVERCOMMITMENT, DEFENSIVE SILENCE, AND FREE- RIDING IN ACADEMIA

The present study aims to find out the relationship between over commitment, defensive silence and free riding in university faculty. The topic appears to delve into the complex and unacknowledged challenges faced by individuals working in the academic environments. It was hypothesized that there were likely to be relationship between over commitment, the defensive silence and free riding. A sample of 218 teachers was taken from both private and public sectors. Sample was calculated via G-Power (Faul, 2009) as data was collected by using purposive sampling technique. The over commitment scale, defensive silence scale and free riding scale was used as assessment measures. Data was analyzed by SPSS. Reliability analysis, correlation, regression analysis was used to assess the data. Correlation analysis showed significant relationship between defensive silence and free riding but showed no relationship between over commitment and free riding and defensive silence was found significant predictors of free riding. Additional independent sample t-test and ANOVA was used to find the mean differences. Thus, the results provide important and significant information in reaching the desired conclusion and making decision, The result is discussed in the light of prior literature. The findings will be beneficial for the betterment of academic professional environment in the universities.