The Practices and Challenges of Distributed Leadership in Addis Ababa University

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Date

2014-07

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to scrutinize the practice and challenges of distributed leadership in Addis Ababa University. In order to meet the objectives of the study, descriptive survey method was employed. From 248,instructors, 78 instructors from 6 colleges, 3 deans from College of Social Science (CSS); College of Business and Economics CBE); Colleges of Natural Science (CNS); College of Development and Environmental Studies (CDS), College of Education and Behavioral Studies (CEBS) and College of Law and Governance Studies were selected for the study. Instructors were selected by Simple random sampling technique. Available sampling technique was used to select college deans. Questionnaire containing open and close-ended items, and semi structured interview, rating order and items constructed in terms of Likert scale were employed in the process of data gathering. The data obtained through the questionnaires were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviations, and rank order. The information obtained through open-ended questionnaires and the interviews were organized to supplement the quantitative data. Findings from the data analysis revealed that most instructors in AAU moderately perceived the features of distributed leadership. It was also noted that the leadership structure of the university moderately entertain the practice of distribution leadership. Furthermore, the study revealed that instructors participation in decision-making responsibilities beyond their own classroom and department functions and their collaboration to achieve the collective ambition of the university were undersized. Lack of team work, loose tie among college deans, department heads and instructors and lack of shared responsibility among instructors were the major challenges that deter the practice of distributed leadership practice in AAU. On the other hand, the study showed that ensuring well- built relation amongst college deans department heads and instructors, persuade team work and shared responsibility, creating favorable condition to facilitate team leadership and collective responsibility, ensuring smooth collegial relationship amongst instructors were the major solutions to the problems. College deans and department head work hand in hand to strengthen as well as guarantee the participation of instructors in the decision making process of their respective college, ensuring, team work, strong relationship, shared responsibility and creating favorable conditions for effective practices of distributed leadership in the university were the major recommendations forwarded in the study.

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The Practices and, Challenges of Distributed

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