Academic-Administrators’ Decision-Making Styles and Institutional Goal Attainment: A Descriptive Research in the University Context

Abstract

: Decision-making is an invaluable function of any management. Its role in determining the policies of organization and formulating the organizational goals to be achieved cannot be over-emphasised. Understanding how one’s decision-making style affects organisation will therefore assist individual to craft the serious leadership calls that define a successful leader. On this premise, this study investigated academic-administrators’ decision-making styles and institutional goal attainment in public universities, Lagos State, Nigeria. Four null hypotheses, tested at .05 level of significance guided the study. The descriptive survey design was used. A total number of 52 academic-administrators, selected through convenience sampling technique from the two purposively selected public universities in Lagos State constituted the sample size. Data were collected with the aid of a self-designed, validated, and reliable (r=.89) questionnaire. Methods of data analysis used were Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Pearson Chi Square. Results showed that institutional goal attainment was significantly correlated with academic-administrators’ directive (r=0.404; df= 50; p<0.05) and conceptual decision-making styles (r=0.113; df= 50; p<0.05) respectively. Also, analytic decision-making style and institutional goal attainment were significantly and strongly associated [χ2 (16, N= 52) = 72.40, p<0.05]. However, institutional goal attainment was not significantly independence of behavioural decision-making style [χ2 (16, N= 52) = 25.53, p> 0.05]. It was recommended among others that academic-administrators be more analytical and assertive while making decisions. They should always examine much information before taking action by relying on direct observation, data, and facts to support their decisions. Style, Behavioural Style, Goal Attainment.