Perceived presidential leadership styles and faculty job satisfaction at Mongolian public universities

Bayasgalan Seseer, Purdue University

Abstract

This research examined the interactions between the presidents and faculty members in Mongolian higher education institutions, more specifically, the relationship between presidents' leadership styles and faculty job satisfaction at Mongolian public universities. In addition, this study investigated faculty perceptions regarding the characteristics of a good leadership and the reasons of why faculty members are satisfied or unsatisfied with their current positions. Based on previous research studies in leadership and job satisfaction, two widely accepted and highly validated survey questionnaires were selected as main instruments for the study. The Leadership Behavior Description Questionnaire (LBDQ) was used to measure presidential leadership in Initiating Structure and Consideration styles as perceived by the faculty. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) short form was used to measure faculty job satisfaction. Along with the LBDQ and MSQ questionnaires, two open-ended questions and demographic questionnaire were mailed in the survey packets. Data on presidential leadership style and faculty job satisfaction were collected from a sample of 270 full time faculty members from eight Mongolian public universities, including the four largest public universities in Mongolia. The rate of survey return was 75%. Statistical analyses, including one-way and two-way ANOVAs and Scheffe post-hoc follow-up tests were performed to answer the study's research questions. One-way and two-way ANOVAs were conducted to determine whether differences and/or interactions existed in faculty job satisfaction based on perceived presidential leadership style and faculty demographic variables. To further examine the existing interactions between leadership style and other independent variables, detailed analysis of simple main effects was conducted. The following conclusions were drawn from the data obtained for this study and results of the statistical analyses of those data. Overall job satisfaction of faculty at Mongolian public universities can be considered as moderately high. Job satisfaction of faculty at Mongolian public universities is strongly related to their perceptions of the presidents' leadership styles. Faculty at Mongolian public universities are likely to be more satisfied with their jobs when they perceive their presidents' leadership as being high in both Initiating Structure and Consideration. Gender and present duties of faculty at Mongolian public universities are the demographic characteristics that most significantly influence their job satisfaction. Faculty at Mongolian public universities expect their presidents to possess professional leadership, good communication, and organization skills, be fair and respectful toward them, and make critical decisions after getting inputs from faculty. The main contributors to faculty job dissatisfaction at Mongolian public universities are closely related to both financial capabilities of higher education institutions and their presidents' leadership styles.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

McInerney, Purdue University.

Subject Area

School administration|Higher education

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