Administrative Autonomy and Recruitment Effectiveness in Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The Mediating Role of Transparency

Abstract

The introduction of the Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) Act in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has granted significant administrative autonomy to public sector hospitals, particularly in human resource decisions such as recruitment and selection. While this autonomy was intended to enhance efficiency and merit-based hiring, concerns regarding transparency and fairness have also emerged. This study examines the impact of administrative autonomy on recruitment effectiveness in MTI hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with transparency serving as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from healthcare professionals and administrative staff working in selected MTI hospitals through a structured questionnaire. Regression and mediation analyses were employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal that administrative autonomy has a significant positive effect on recruitment effectiveness; however, this relationship is substantially mediated by perceived transparency in recruitment processes. The results suggest that administrative autonomy alone is insufficient to ensure effective recruitment unless accompanied by transparent policies and procedures. The study contributes to the literature on public sector HRM and healthcare governance by highlighting transparency as a critical mechanism linking administrative autonomy to successful recruitment outcomes. Policy implications for MTI administrators and HR practitioners are discussed.