Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

5-2006

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Nancy Dishner

Committee Members

W. Hal Knight, Terrence A. Tollefson, Harold Lee Daniels

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the gender differences regarding motivation in the individuals who serve in senior administrative positions in Virginia's community colleges. Institutional morale can be damaged by administrators who become dissatisfied with their positions. Institutions use millions of dollars yearly to conduct searches for individuals to replace senior administrators who leave their positions because of lack of job satisfaction or high job dissatisfaction. This study also addressed the possibility of differences between male senior administrators and female senior administrators regarding job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction.

Frederick Herzberg' 2-factory theory of motivation regarding job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction was used as the theoretical foundation of the data collection. The Job Descriptive Index that focuses on 5 facets of job satisfaction: work on present job, opportunities for promotion, present pay, co-workers, and supervision as well as the Job in General Scale were used to survey senior college administrators for the purpose of gathering data.

Results of the study indicated that senior administrators experienced a high level of job satisfaction regarding work on present job, co-workers, supervision, and the overall job in general. Senior administrators reported low levels of job satisfaction in relation to opportunities for promotion and moderate levels of satisfaction regarding present pay.

Findings from the study reflected a difference in male senior administrators and female senior administrators regarding opportunities for promotion, co-workers, and the overall job in general. Male senior administrators reported higher levels of satisfaction in all 3 of these areas whereas 3 female senior administrators reported lower levels of satisfaction. There were no differences found between male senior administrators and female senior administrators regarding work on present job, present pay, or supervision.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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