Socio-cultural environment, job performance and quality of governance among women leaders: evidence from Indian academic sector

Purpose The study aims to enhance our understanding of the quality of governance by discussing the impact of the sociocultural environment on the role of women occupying leadership positions in the academic sector in India. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 250 women holding positions capacities like Principals, Vice-Principals, Deans, Directors, Deputy Directors and Heads of Departments in various Universities in North India. Findings The findings revealed that socio-cultural environment (SCE) positively and significantly influences the quality of governance (QG) and, interestingly, job performance (JP) partially mediates the relationship between the SCE and QG. Originality/value The novel contributions of this study highlight the delicate balance between how women academic leaders handle sociocultural expectations while manifesting superior QG. work-life balance (WB), job satisfaction (JS) and JP have a decisive, supportive role while augmenting the QG.