MANAGING STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS THROUGH THE LENS OF THE "ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS"

Abstract

The chapter examines the problem of managing staff development in higher education institutions within the framework of the "Economics of Happiness" theory. It analyzes approaches to understanding the phenomenon of the "Economics of Happiness" in socio-humanitarian discourse and outlines its connection with human resource management theories. It is emphasized that in higher education, where people represent the key resource, the task is not only to foster professional competence but also to create conditions for sustaining emotional well-being and life satisfaction. The results of empirical studies on the satisfaction levels of higher education staff and the factors influencing them are presented. Staff development is considered both as a challenge and as a resource for enhancing university effectiveness. Innovative management practices are proposed, aimed at cultivating a culture of trust, engagement, and recognition, as well as mechanisms to reduce professional burnout and strengthen organizational resilience. The chapter concludes that integrating the principles of the "Economics of Happiness" into staff development management contributes not only to improving the quality of the educational process but also to ensuring the sustainable development of higher education institutions as a whole.