Impact of Servant Leadership Style on Institutional Effectiveness of Public Universities in Ethiopia

Abstract

This quantitative study examined servant leadership behavior in public universities of Ethiopia to uncover its impact on institutional effectiveness. The study focused on six major dimensions of servant leadership approach and their impact on the effectiveness of universities. The dimensions included: valuing people, building the community, providing leadership, developing people, sharing leadership and the practice of authenticity. A survey was conducted using cross-sectional research design under probability sampling and a total of 722 participants consisting of instructors, department heads, deans, directors and students were involved in providing data via questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Thus, mean, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, linear and multiple regressions were employed. The findings showed that both servant leadership  and institutional effectiveness were demonstrated at ‘moderate’ levels in sample higher education institutions. Positive and significant relationship was also recorded between servant leadership and institutional effectiveness. It was also found that valuing staffs, providing leadership, developing staffs and sharing leadership significantly affect institutional effectiveness of public universities. Thus, leaders in higher education institutions are recommended to implant and exercise servant leadership style vigorously so that they can render the required services and bring about success for their institutions. Besides, researchers are recommended to conduct further longitudinal studies and come up with comprehensive and causative findings that help provide better information for decision makers and practitioners about the study variables in higher education institutions.

Keywords: Institutional Effectiveness, Public University, Servant Leadership

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-28-02

Publication date:October 31^st 2019