College Deans’ Leadership Effectiveness in Jimma University in Focus

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which college deans in Jimma University are effective in their leadership. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches, emphasizing more on descriptive survey method. The participants of the study include 192 instructors, 39 department heads, 5 deans and one top official of the University. These informants were selected on the basis of stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data from these participants. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. The results of the study unveiled that deans’ leadership effectiveness in the University was not up to the desired level as measured by the three major leadership dimensions considered in the study. The study further revealed that deans’ leadership effectiveness was hampered by both personal and institutional factors. Hence, it was recommended that the University arrange relevant trainings for the incumbents decentralize power and make colleges autonomous on important academic and administrative issues.