FACULTY SATISFACTION AND DEANS INFLUENCE - AN ORGANIZATIONAL STUDY OF 12 LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

QUESTIONNAIRE DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM 685 FACULTY MEMBERS IN 12 LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES. MEASURES INCLUDED AMOUNTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE INFLUENCE, BASES OF INFLUENCE FOR THE DEAN AND FACULTY, AND LEVELS OF FACULTY SATISFACTION. FACULTY SATISFACTION WAS GREATEST IN THOSE COLLEGES HAVING THE HIGHEST TOTAL INFLUENCE ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF THE ACADEMIC HIERARCHY. FACULTY ALSO INDICATED GREATEST SATISFACTION WITH DEANS WHO HAVE A RELATIVELY HIGH INFLUENCE OVER COLLEGE AFFAIRS, AND WHOSE INFLUENCE IS BASED UPON EXPERTISE AND RESPECT RATHER THAN UPON LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY AND COERCION. RESULTS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE LIGHT OF SIMILAR FINDINGS IN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1968 American Psychological Association.