6 - Understanding the Factors that Influence Leadership Effectiveness of Deans in Ghana
Corresponding Author(s) : Joshua Alabi
Journal of Higher Education in Africa,
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2014): Journal of Higher Education in Africa: Special Issue on Higher Education Leadership and Management
Abstract
The paper describes and examines the factors that influence leadership effectiveness of deans and the concept of competence of deans using the evolution of deanship as a welfare system to a system of accountability in Ghana. The study explores what defines leadership competence in Higher Education in Ghana and how the process of becoming a dean can influence effective performance. Using a qualitative approach, data was collected from 38 respon Three public Universities in Ghana were used for the stu- dy. Data was collected from 38 respondents using interviews and survey methods. The respondents include a vice-chancellor, a pro-vice-chancellor, deans, and faculty members. The paper explores the respondents’ perception of a competent dean and identifies two categories of competence: technical competence and leadership competence. Generally, leadership competences are put ahead of technical competences for effective deans’ performace. Five core themes for leadership competences were identified and these include personal competences, visionary competences, administrative competences, people competences and networking competences. Also, three processes of becoming a dean have also emerged in Ghana. These are the elective, the selective and the appointive processes. The study finds that the effectiveness of deans is largely influenced by inadequate leadership competences and grooming, absence of clearly defined and well commu- nicated job descriptions as well as performance management practices that seek accountability of deans in Ghana. The study recommends the appointment of deans through standard recruitment practices, rather than election or selection. It also recommends leadership assessment and training for leadership competences before a dean takes office.
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- Alabi, J. & Alabi, G., 2010, ‘Factors Influencing Quality of Leadership in Higher Insti- tutions of Learning in Ghana’, Journal of Business Research Vol. 4, Nos. 1&2, Alabi, J. and Alabi, G., 2011, ‘Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) as a Gov- ernance Tool in a Higher Institution of Learning in Ghana’, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 5, Nos. 1&2.
- Alabi, J. Alabi, G., & Mohamed, I., 2012, ‘Academic Programming and Demand for Qualifications in the Ghanaian Labour Market’, Educational Review Research, Vol. 2, No. 1. Abbot, A. T., 2009, ‘The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)’, Educate, Vol. 9, No.2, pp. 7-17.
- Altba h, G. P., 2005, ‘Patterns in Higher Education Development’, in P.G. Altbach, R.O.
- Berdahl, and P. J. Gumport, eds, American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century: Social, Political, and Economic Challenges, 2nd ed., Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Barge, J. K. & Musambira, G. W., 1992, ‘Turning Points in Chair-Faculty Relation- ships’, Journal of Applied Communication, Vol. 20, pp. 54-77.
- Benoit, P. and Graham, S., 2005, ‘Leadership Excellence: Constructing the Role of Department Chair’, Academic Leadership: The Online Journal, Vol.3, No. 1. Available at http://www.academicleadership.org/volume3/issue1/ arti- cles/5/5_full.html Bennett, D. C., 2001, ‘Assessing Quality in Higher Education – Perspectives’, Lib- eral Education, Spring.
- Available at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ mi_m0NKR/is_2_87/ai_88581415 Brennan, J. and Shah, T.,(2000, Managing Quality in Higher Education: An Inter- national Perspective on Institutional Assessment and Change, London: Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press.
- Bloom, D., Canning, D and Chan, K., 2005, Higher Education and Economic Deve- lopment in Africa, Washington, D. C.: World Bank.
- Bolden, R., Petrov. G., Gosling J., 2008, Developing Collect Leadership in Higher Education, London: Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
- Bolden R., Gosling J., Marturano, A., and Dennisson, P., 2003, A Review of Leadership Theory and Competency Framework, ed. Centre for Leadership Studies, Dunsford Hill: Exeter University Press .
- Brennan, J., DeVries, P., & Williams, R., 1997, Standards and Quality in Higher Education, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Bryman , A., 2009, Effective Leadership In Higher Institutions, London:The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
- Brungardt, C. L. & Maughan, M., 2005, ‘Understanding Leadership: Theories and Concepts, 3rd Edition. Available at www.utexas.edu. pipl.com/directory/name/ Brungardt/180 - United States Cameron, K. S. and Tschirhart, M., 1992, ‘Post industrial Environments and Organizational Effectiveness in Colleges and Universities’, Journal of Higher Education Vol. 63, pp. 87-108.
- Creswell, J. and Brown, M. L., 1992, ‘How Chairpersons Enhance Faculty Research: A Grounded Theory Study, The Review of Higher Education, Vol. 16, pp. 41-62.
- Dearlove, J., 1997, ‘The Academic Labour Process: From Collegiality and Professionalism to Managerialism and Proletarianisation?’ Higher Education Review, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 56-75.
- Dyer, B. G. and Miller, M., 1999, ‘A Critical Review of Literature Related to the Department Chair Position’, ERIC. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/content_storage_01/0000000b/80/11/97/28.pdf
- Fleenor, J. W. & Bryant, C., 2002, Leadership Effectiveness and Organizational Culture: An Exploratory Study, Toronto: Center for Creative Leadership, Meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.,
- Filan, G. L. & Seagren, A. T, 2003, ‘Academic Leadership: A Practical Guide to Chairing the Department’, Participative Management Academic Leadership Journal, pp. 21.
- HEFCE, 2004, HEFCE Strategic Plan 2003-2008, Revised April 2004, Bristol: Hefce.
- Keith, A., 2006, cited in J. Kouzes, and B. Posner , 2007, The Leadership Challenge.
- San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
- Hogan, R,. Curphy, G., & Hogan, J. 1994, ‘What We Know About Leadership: Effectiveness and Personality’, American Psychologist, Vol 49, No. 6: June.
- House, R. J., Spangler, W. D., & Woycke, J. 1991, ‘Personality and Charisma in the U.S. Presidency: A Psychological Theory of Leadership Effectiveness’, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 36, pp. 364-396.
- Kouzes, J. M., and Posner, B. Z., 2002, ‘The Leadership Challenge: How to Get Extraordinary Things Done in Organizations, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
- Leveille, D., 2006, ‘Accountability in Higher Education: A Public Agenda for Trust and Cultural Change’, CA – USA: Centre for Studies in Higher Education.
- Lord, R. G., De Vader, C. L., & Allinger, G. M., 1986, ‘A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Personality Traits and Leadership Perceptions: An Application of Validity Generalization Procedures’, Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 71,pp. 402-410.
- Mahoney, J., 2001, ‘Leadership Skills for the 21st Century. Journal of Nursing Ma- nagement, Vol.9, No. 5, pp. 269-271.
- Owen, J., 2005, How to Lead. What You Actually Need to Do to Manage, Lead and Succeed , Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
- Rosser, V. J., Johnsrud, L. K. and Heck, R. H., 2003, ‘Academic Deans and Directors: Assessing their Effectiveness from Individual and Institutional Perspectives’, Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 74, pp. 1-25.
- Shattock, M., 2006., Managing Good Governance in Higher Education, Berkshire: Open University Press, McGraw Hill Education.
- Shattock, M., 2003, Managing Successful Universities, Buckingham: SRHE and OU Press.
- Ulrich, Dave; Zenger, Jack; and Smallwood, Norm., 1999, Results-Based Leadership, Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
- Waldman, D. A., Ramirez, G. G., House, R. J., & Puranam, P. , 2001, Does Lea- dership Matter? CEO Leadership Attributes and Profitability under Conditions of Perceived Environ Mental Uncertainty’, Academy of Management Journal, 44, pp. 134-143
- Zhu, W., Chew, I., & Spangler, W., 2005, ‘CEO Transformational Leadership and Organizational Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Human-Capital Enhancing Human Resource Management’, Leadership Quarterly, Vol. 16, pp. 39−52.
References
Alabi, J. & Alabi, G., 2010, ‘Factors Influencing Quality of Leadership in Higher Insti- tutions of Learning in Ghana’, Journal of Business Research Vol. 4, Nos. 1&2, Alabi, J. and Alabi, G., 2011, ‘Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) as a Gov- ernance Tool in a Higher Institution of Learning in Ghana’, Journal of Business Research, Vol. 5, Nos. 1&2.
Alabi, J. Alabi, G., & Mohamed, I., 2012, ‘Academic Programming and Demand for Qualifications in the Ghanaian Labour Market’, Educational Review Research, Vol. 2, No. 1. Abbot, A. T., 2009, ‘The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)’, Educate, Vol. 9, No.2, pp. 7-17.
Altba h, G. P., 2005, ‘Patterns in Higher Education Development’, in P.G. Altbach, R.O.
Berdahl, and P. J. Gumport, eds, American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century: Social, Political, and Economic Challenges, 2nd ed., Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Barge, J. K. & Musambira, G. W., 1992, ‘Turning Points in Chair-Faculty Relation- ships’, Journal of Applied Communication, Vol. 20, pp. 54-77.
Benoit, P. and Graham, S., 2005, ‘Leadership Excellence: Constructing the Role of Department Chair’, Academic Leadership: The Online Journal, Vol.3, No. 1. Available at http://www.academicleadership.org/volume3/issue1/ arti- cles/5/5_full.html Bennett, D. C., 2001, ‘Assessing Quality in Higher Education – Perspectives’, Lib- eral Education, Spring.
Available at http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ mi_m0NKR/is_2_87/ai_88581415 Brennan, J. and Shah, T.,(2000, Managing Quality in Higher Education: An Inter- national Perspective on Institutional Assessment and Change, London: Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press.
Bloom, D., Canning, D and Chan, K., 2005, Higher Education and Economic Deve- lopment in Africa, Washington, D. C.: World Bank.
Bolden, R., Petrov. G., Gosling J., 2008, Developing Collect Leadership in Higher Education, London: Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
Bolden R., Gosling J., Marturano, A., and Dennisson, P., 2003, A Review of Leadership Theory and Competency Framework, ed. Centre for Leadership Studies, Dunsford Hill: Exeter University Press .
Brennan, J., DeVries, P., & Williams, R., 1997, Standards and Quality in Higher Education, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Bryman , A., 2009, Effective Leadership In Higher Institutions, London:The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.
Brungardt, C. L. & Maughan, M., 2005, ‘Understanding Leadership: Theories and Concepts, 3rd Edition. Available at www.utexas.edu. pipl.com/directory/name/ Brungardt/180 - United States Cameron, K. S. and Tschirhart, M., 1992, ‘Post industrial Environments and Organizational Effectiveness in Colleges and Universities’, Journal of Higher Education Vol. 63, pp. 87-108.
Creswell, J. and Brown, M. L., 1992, ‘How Chairpersons Enhance Faculty Research: A Grounded Theory Study, The Review of Higher Education, Vol. 16, pp. 41-62.
Dearlove, J., 1997, ‘The Academic Labour Process: From Collegiality and Professionalism to Managerialism and Proletarianisation?’ Higher Education Review, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 56-75.
Dyer, B. G. and Miller, M., 1999, ‘A Critical Review of Literature Related to the Department Chair Position’, ERIC. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2/content_storage_01/0000000b/80/11/97/28.pdf
Fleenor, J. W. & Bryant, C., 2002, Leadership Effectiveness and Organizational Culture: An Exploratory Study, Toronto: Center for Creative Leadership, Meeting of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.,
Filan, G. L. & Seagren, A. T, 2003, ‘Academic Leadership: A Practical Guide to Chairing the Department’, Participative Management Academic Leadership Journal, pp. 21.
HEFCE, 2004, HEFCE Strategic Plan 2003-2008, Revised April 2004, Bristol: Hefce.
Keith, A., 2006, cited in J. Kouzes, and B. Posner , 2007, The Leadership Challenge.
San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
Hogan, R,. Curphy, G., & Hogan, J. 1994, ‘What We Know About Leadership: Effectiveness and Personality’, American Psychologist, Vol 49, No. 6: June.
House, R. J., Spangler, W. D., & Woycke, J. 1991, ‘Personality and Charisma in the U.S. Presidency: A Psychological Theory of Leadership Effectiveness’, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 36, pp. 364-396.
Kouzes, J. M., and Posner, B. Z., 2002, ‘The Leadership Challenge: How to Get Extraordinary Things Done in Organizations, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Leveille, D., 2006, ‘Accountability in Higher Education: A Public Agenda for Trust and Cultural Change’, CA – USA: Centre for Studies in Higher Education.
Lord, R. G., De Vader, C. L., & Allinger, G. M., 1986, ‘A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Personality Traits and Leadership Perceptions: An Application of Validity Generalization Procedures’, Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 71,pp. 402-410.
Mahoney, J., 2001, ‘Leadership Skills for the 21st Century. Journal of Nursing Ma- nagement, Vol.9, No. 5, pp. 269-271.
Owen, J., 2005, How to Lead. What You Actually Need to Do to Manage, Lead and Succeed , Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Rosser, V. J., Johnsrud, L. K. and Heck, R. H., 2003, ‘Academic Deans and Directors: Assessing their Effectiveness from Individual and Institutional Perspectives’, Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 74, pp. 1-25.
Shattock, M., 2006., Managing Good Governance in Higher Education, Berkshire: Open University Press, McGraw Hill Education.
Shattock, M., 2003, Managing Successful Universities, Buckingham: SRHE and OU Press.
Ulrich, Dave; Zenger, Jack; and Smallwood, Norm., 1999, Results-Based Leadership, Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Waldman, D. A., Ramirez, G. G., House, R. J., & Puranam, P. , 2001, Does Lea- dership Matter? CEO Leadership Attributes and Profitability under Conditions of Perceived Environ Mental Uncertainty’, Academy of Management Journal, 44, pp. 134-143
Zhu, W., Chew, I., & Spangler, W., 2005, ‘CEO Transformational Leadership and Organizational Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Human-Capital Enhancing Human Resource Management’, Leadership Quarterly, Vol. 16, pp. 39−52.