AAU Institutional Repository (AAU-ETD)
Addis Ababa University Institutional repository is an open access repository that collects,preserves, and disseminates scholarly outputs of the university. AAU-ETD archives' collection of master's theses, doctoral dissertations and preprints showcase the wide range of academic research undertaken by AAU students over the course of the University's long history.
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The repository contains scholarly work, both unpublished and published, by current or former AAU faculty, staff, and students, including Works by AAU students as part of their masters, doctoral, or post-doctoral research
- All AAU faculty, staff, and students are invited to submit their work to the repository. Please contact the library at your college.
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Recent Submissions
An Investigation of Internal Quality Assurance System in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions
(Addis Ababa University, 2026-06-01) Girma Awaki; Belete Kebede
This study investigated the internal quality assurance system in Ethiopian higher education institutions. Despite the policy interventions, evidence suggests that the quality of education continues to deteriorate, indicating a need for systematic investigation into the functioning of internal quality assurance systems. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Data were gathered from 303 instructors and 355 postgraduate students through structured questionnaires, as well as from 20 key informants such as quality assurance directors, coordinators, experts, and senior instructors through semi-structured interviews, totally 678 participants. Additionally, document analysis was conducted on quality assurance policies, audit reports, and institutional documents, especially the document of institutional quality audit standard for HEIs has been reviewed and analyzed critically. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviations, and inferential statistics including one-sample t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework. The findings revealed that while formal internal quality assurance system structures exist across all sampled institutions, these structures operate primarily as compliance-oriented mechanisms responding to external accountability demands rather than as engines of genuine quality improvement. Students demonstrated limited familiarity with internal quality assurance system concepts, with 40.8% reporting no familiarity and only 23.4% affirming the existence of an effective system. Student participation in quality assurance activities was consistently low, with a composite mean of 2.44 (p < .001), and only 18% reported ever attending quality assurance-related meetings. The student support system received below-moderate ratings (M = 2.84, p < .001), with PhD students rating support services significantly higher than master's students, and government-sponsored students reporting better support than self-sponsored students. Research and publication support was particularly weak (M = 2.70, p < .001), with funding opportunities and grant awareness identified as the most severe deficiencies. Instructors have demonstrated higher awareness of internal quality assurance system compared to students, with 86.5% reporting at least some familiarity with internal quality assurance system concepts, yet only 40.3% affirmed the existence of clear implementation guidelines. The overall effectiveness rating from instructors (M vi = 2.97) did not statistically differ from the moderate benchmark, indicating neutral perception. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that all dimensions of the internal quality assurance system were positively and significantly correlated, with the strongest correlation observed between IQAS policy and effectiveness (r = .70, p < .001), followed by focus area implementation and effectiveness (r = .61, p < .001), and policy and focus area implementation (r = .58, p < .001). Student participation correlated moderately with policy (r = .56, p < .001) and effectiveness (r = .55, p < .001), but weakly with educational resources (r = .34, p < .001). Qualitative findings revealed a persistent gap between policy and implementation, with participants characterizing internal quality assurance system impact as "effort without measurable impact" and educational quality as "stagnant." Resource scarcity was identified as the most significant barrier by 84.8% of instructors, followed by inadequate training and development (81.2%), limited stakeholder engagement (75.2%), lack of institutional commitment (70.6%), and poor communication (67.0%). Enabling factors included leadership commitment, growing institutional autonomy, and the reservoir of senior academic expertise. Despite numerous challenges, several best practices were identified. The study concludes that the internal quality assurance system in Ethiopian higher education institutions is characterized by institutionalized formalism rather than substantive transformation, with a deep disconnect between policy and implementation, chronic resource scarcity, superficial student participation, significant inter-institutional variation, and stagnant educational quality. The Pearson correlation findings confirm that IQAS functions as an integrated system wherein improvements in one dimension are associated with improvements in others, and that student participation is driven more by policy and culture than by physical resources. Recommendations are offered for higher education institutions, the Education and Training Authority, and the Ministry of Education. The study contributes to the literature on quality assurance in developing country contexts and provides empirical evidence for policy reform aimed at transforming Ethiopian higher education from compliance-driven to quality-centered institutions
Disciplinary Problems of Students in General Secondary Schools of South West Shoa Zone
(Addis Ababa University, 2013-06-01) Taye Merga; Wossenu Yimam
The purpose of the study was to explore disciplinary problems of general secondary schools in South West Shoa Zone. To these ends, attempts were made by the study to identify prevalent disciplinary problems of students and their possible causes by examining the home related, teacher related, school environment and administration related, curriculum related, and personal problems related factors of students with disciplinary problems. Moreover, the study proposed more effective and appropriate means to alleviate discipliaryy problems of students. The study was conducted on five selected sample general secondary schools found in South West Shoa Zone. From sample schools, 12 school principals, 42 teachers and 396 students were selected by purposive sampling for school principals and random sampling for teacher and students were employed. From these, 12 school principals, 40 teachers and 384 students filled in and returned the questionnaire. Then, the collected data were analyzed using percentage, mean score and (-test methods. The findings on the study revealed that general secondary school students in South West Shoa Zone reflected a number of disciplinary problems, of which the most important ones were late coming, coming school without the necessary materials, failure to do home work and class work, improper dressing and hair style, absenteeism, jumping over fences and through other forbidden exits, and damaging/destroying school property. Besides, the study groups perceived a moderate relationship between the overall students' disciplinary problems and the degree of their disruption of teaching- learning process. The result of the study also indicated that higher frequency of disciplinary problems does not necessarily imply higher degree of disruption. The findings of the study also indicate that there were many factors of disciplinary problems in the home, school environment and administration related, teachers related , curriculum related and personal conditions related factors. To be more specific, regarding the home related factors, the study showed that students in general secondary schools found in South West Shoa Zone were reflecting disciplinary problems partly because of their family home life situations. Similarly, the study indicated that there were problems related to teachers, and school environment and administration. These problems were found to be minor causes for general secondary school students' disciplinary problems. With regard to curriculum related factors such as not addressing pupils ' needs and interests, and difficulty of the lesson have minor effect of general secondary school students' disciplinary problems. As far as a personal condition is concerned, the study showed that adolescence and related factors were major causes for disciplinary problems observed in general secondary schools in the zone. Lastly, as it is evident from the findings in the study, positive disciplinary measures were found to be effective and appropriate to minimize or avoid disciplinary problems of students
The Effect of Leadership Styles on Employees’ Performance: The Mediating Role of Employee Motivation at Selected Ethiopian Banks
(Addis Ababa University, 2026-05-23) Eman Kemal; Gemechis Terfa
This study sought to evaluate the impact of leadership styles on employee performance in Ethiopian commercial banks where employee motivation played a mediating role. Four types of leadership styles considered in this study included transformational, transactional, servant and laissez-faire leadership. The research design utilized in this study was descriptive and explanatory, while data was collected using a questionnaire among the employees of Awash Bank S.C. and Hibret Bank S.C. Simple random sampling technique was used in order to obtain 310 respondents out of the targeted 450 respondents. PLS-SEM with the help of SmartPLS 4.0 software was used in analyzing the data collected. The structural model accounted for 42.2% of the variance in employee performance. As for the direct effect, transformational leadership positively impacted employee performance significantly while the effect of laissez-faire leadership on employee performance was significantly negative. Transactional leadership snd servant leadership found to be statistically insignificant. On the other hand, the mediation effect of employee motivation was found to be significant in all four-leadership style-performance relations. The results showed that servant leadership had the highest indirect effect, followed by transformational leadership, whereas the lowest indirect effect was registered for laissez-faire leadership. Thus, the study suggests that leadership styles can be identified as a significant predictor of the performance level achieved by employees working in commercial banks in Ethiopia. In addition, this relationship is positively affected by employee motivation. Transformational and servant leadership styles have proven to yield the best results in motivating employees and improving their performance. At the same time, laissez-faire leadership negatively affects employee motivation and performance. The study recommends introducing transformational and servant leadership training programs in banks as well as implementing a reward system based on performance.
Antecedents of Workplace Inclusion and Happiness at Work in AWACH SACCOS, Ethiopia: The Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support
(Addis Ababa University, 2026-06) Hermon Gebremariam; Zelalem Gebretsadik
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between Inclusive Leadership, psychological safety and Organizational Justice on employees’ Happiness at Work. Utilizing the mediating impact of Workplace Inclusion and the moderating effect of perceived organizational support. The research involved a cross-sectional study with a quantitative methodology, collecting data from 200 employees working in AWACH SACCOS. The data was collected online using Google Forms through a questionnaire and analyzed using smart PLS version 4.1.0.6.The hypothesis testing outcomes reveal several key findings, positive significant relationship between PS and WI, H1 supported (β= 0.274, p = 0.000); positive correlation between WI and IL, H2 supported (β= 0.219, p = 0.003); no statistically significant relationship between WI and OJ, H3 not supported (β= -0.000, p = 1.000); positive significant relationship between WI and HAW ,H4 supported (β= 0.255, p = 0.008). Significant direct effect (β= 0.274, p = 0.000) of PS on WI and significant indirect effect (β=0.070, p=0.012) of PS on HAW through WI. H5, is a partial mediation. Significant direct effect (β= 0.219, p = 0.003) of IL on WI and significant indirect effect (β=0.056, p=0.055) of IL on HAW through WI, H6 is partial mediation. Insignificant direct effect (β= -0.000, p = 1.000) of OJ on WI and an insignificant indirect effect (β= -0.000, p = 1.000) of OJ on HAW through WI, H7, there is no mediation. No statistical evidence for a significant moderating effect of POS on the PS-WI relationship (p = 0.763 > 0.05, t = 0.302 < 1.96), H8 is rejected. T-value of 2.618 (which exceeds the standard 1.96 threshold) and a p-value of 0.009 (p < 0.05), therefore, H9 is rejected. Significant effect of POS on the OJ-WI (p = 0.007 < 0.05, t = 2.701 > 1.96, β = 0.149).Therefore, H10 is accepted. The relationship (p = 0.148 > 0.05, t = 1.446 < 1.96, f² = 0.012) therefore, H11 is rejected. Addressing a gap in the literature on employee well-being in African cooperative institutions, this study is among the first to empirically test a moderated mediation model linking PS, IL, and OJ to HAW via WI in an Ethiopian SACCOS. This study drawing on Organizational Support Theory (OST), Social Exchange Theory (SET), Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory and Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT), the study develops and tests 11 hypotheses
The Effect of Business Process Management on Organizational Performance: In the Case of Safaricom Ethiopia.
(Addis Ababa University, 2026-06-09) Yeneneh Anwar; Demeke Chimdessa
The main aim of this study was to examine the effect of BPM on the overall effectiveness of the organization in question, Safaricom Ethiopia. Explanatory research design was utilized together with the use of quantitative methodology. Questionnaire method of collecting data was employed, in which case random sampling was utilized and questionnaires were sent to selected respondents. In analyzing the data obtained, statistical methods such as correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were employed using SPSS software version 25.According to the findings from the study, it was discovered that strategic alignment and employee involvement have statistical significance when it comes to affecting the organization's overall effectiveness. Both of these variables were discovered to have a positive effect on organizational effectiveness. This is because, with regard to employee involvement, the increase in training and development activities of the employees resulted in improved behaviors and attitudes towards their work. Furthermore, it was realized that there exists positive relationship between strategic alignment and the performance of the entire organization. Management efforts geared towards encouraging innovation and changing the organization positively empowered employees such that they could positively affect the organization. The result highlights the significance of strategic planning and employee involvement in enhancing organizational effectiveness. Therefore, organizational leaders should ensure they employ strategies aimed at enhancing employee involvement, making effective use of IT, and aligning business processes with strategic plans in order to enhance organizational effectiveness through BPM.