Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

August 1993

Abstract

Current literature has suggested that the role of the college president has perhaps become too ambiguous, complex and demanding for an individual to perform for an extended period of time. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between perceived role ambiguity, role conflict, role frustration and job satisfaction of selected private college presidents in the Southeastern United States. The method of the study was correlational in design. Using a thirty-seven item questionnaire developed by the author, data were collected from 141 college presidents of institutions within the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institutions were private in governmental structure, with an enrollment not exceeding 2500 students. Limited demographic data pertaining to each college president were also collected. Multiple regression was used to determine if relationships existed between role ambiguity, role conflict, role frustration, job satisfaction and the demographic variables of age, race, number of years served as a college president, years of administrative experience, years president at their current institution, and if their current presidency was their first presidency. Results of the study suggest there are significant relationships between role ambiguity and role conflict (r =.22), role ambiguity and role frustration (r =.23), role ambiguity and job satisfaction (r = $-$.46), role conflict and role frustration (r =.67), role conflict and job satisfaction (r = $-$.43), role frustration and job satisfaction (r = $-$.43). However, role ambiguity was not perceived by the respondents in this study to be detrimental to the performance of their job. Role conflict and role frustration were perceived to be a concern to the respondents. Even with the diverse demands of the president's office, respondents in this study seem to be satisfied with the position of president, based on the composite analysis of individual questions on the instrument designed to measure job satisfaction.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

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