Spotlight on a Researcher – Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, MS-LAW, MBA, DBA, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP (HCBE)

 

Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, MS-LAW, MBA, DBA, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, is a professor of Management, International Management and Human Resources at NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He joined NSU in 1996 and over the last three decades he has been teaching managing workforce diversity, leadership, international management, and human resources for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Dr. Mujtaba’s research interests include leadership, management communication, human resources management, management development, leadership, and cross-cultural development.

For one of his research projects Dr. Mujtaba carried out surveys on undergraduate students in South Florida to determine the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) among students, the challenges and ethical dilemmas posed using this technology and how it can help in facilitating improved student engagement and academic achievement. The findings of this study were published in the Business Ethics and Leadership journal in 2024 (Clarifying Ethical Dilemmas in Sharpening Students’ Artificial Intelligence Proficiency: Dispelling Myths About Using AI Tools in Higher Education | ArmgPublishing). The data from student respondents published in this article indicate that students in the US are regularly using AI for their academic projects and AI will play a significant role in the education industry. Most of the students surveyed in this study by Dr. Mujtaba believe AI has the ability to help students understand educational matters, create a better learning experience and improve productivity. The information gathered from this survey demonstrates that AI can facilitate a more personalized and adaptive learning experience, which will be beneficial to students with diverse learning styles. Despite all these positive implications of applications of AI the challenges and dangers cannot be ignored. It is necessary to regulate and monitor its usage to ensure it is being used ethically. Transparency, accountability and monitoring of AI usage is essential to address concerns regarding data privacy, bias and educational inequalities.

Dr. Mujtaba also conducted an analysis of affirmative action (AA) which uses “race” in college admission decisions to create equitable opportunities for minorities to overcome educational inequalities. He published a paper in the journal titled Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal in 2023 after AA was overturned by the Supreme Court of The United States (SCOTUS) [ The rationale for affirmative action (AA) being overturned by SCOTUS: an informational perspective of its pros and cons for the American dream | Semantic Scholar ] analyzing the possible rationale of overturning of AA by the SCOTUS and the pros and cons of this decision on the academic and professional prospects of minority groups such as women, African Americans, Hispanics and low-income populations. While AA was overturned by SCOTUS, they did not propose any alternatives to ensure minorities continue to aim for higher positions. The article suggests that college administrators and professionals involved in recruitment and hiring processes must find ways to ensure that underrepresented minorities continue to get equal opportunities. Dr. Mujtaba’s paper mentions that it should be noted that AA did not admit undeserving students based on race alone. Moreover, this SCOTUS decision to overturn AA should not be perceived as the collective view of US society. In a survey involving 40,000 participants conducted by CNN over 60 percent of respondents agreed that AA is necessary to improve diversity, inclusion and richness of discussion within teams. This paper suggests that the decision of SCOTUS to overturn AA has both pros and cons for hiring in the workplace and admissions in academic institutions. The author concludes that this judgement will possibly enable race blindness in decision making which will result in solving race-based disadvantages and stigmatization. It is also in alignment with the constitution and signals equality of all human beings. However, this decision also has some possible negatives that will be felt by certain sections of society. It can prove destructive for certain minorities who are disadvantaged because of being discriminated against which might lead to multigenerational loss in educational development of minorities. Over the years this can lead to a less diverse leadership pipeline as fewer minorities will apply to top universities and higher jobs.

In addition to the articles mentioned above Dr Mujtaba has written and published over two hundred research articles in a wide range of subjects such as suicide, guns, and mass shootings in the US and bullying at the workplace and the role of human resources in tackling it. He has also authored or co-authored over ten books which have been used for development of curriculum in managements schools in several universities spread across Asia, Africa and North America. In a career spanning over 35 years, he has served as professor, executive coach, consultant, director and other distinguished positions. Dr. Mujtaba has attended multiple national and international conferences as speaker, session chair, and discussant in multiple countries including China, Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Malaysia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Bahamas, Jamaica, and Brazil. He has also served as a visiting professor or researcher and has delivered seminar or lectures in various academic institutions around the globe such as University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam, Ramkhamheang University and Prince of Songkhla University in Thailand, Jinan University in China, Al-Akhawayn University in Morocco, COMSATS University and Superior University in Pakistan, and Dunya University in Afghanistan.

 

 

Dr. Mujtaba has made valuable contributions as a member of the faculty at NSU’s College of Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition to his responsibilities as a professor, he has served as a member of the Academic Review Committee, Graduate Curriculum Committee, Assurance of Learning Committee, and Faculty Rank and Review Committee and contributes to further development of education and research at NSU. As an important member of the faculty Dr. Mujtaba continues to serve the university, conduct research, and improve the curriculum that will positively impact the NSU community.