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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Keywords
The Practices and, Challenges of Distributed