Educational Leadership Commons^™

The Relationship Of Leadership Style Behaviors Of Principals To The Existence Of Effective Schools, Lanny John Tibaldo

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the leadership style behaviors of principals were related to the existence of effective schools. Leadership style behaviors of principals of Wisconsin public schools recognized as effective by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program were compared to a random sample of principals of Wisconsin public schools not identified as effective to determine if principals of effective schools demonstrated more democratic, participative leadership style behaviors. The relationship of elementary and secondary principals' leadership style behaviors to the existence of effective schools was also studied.

A Personal Data Sheet for demographic data and the Self-Scoring …

Assertive Communication: Its Effect On Conflict, Trust, Hostility, And Productivity In The Organization, Jacqueline J. Brayman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between assertive communication training and conflict over values, goals, and demands, as well as trust, hostility, and productivity in the organization. The investigation took place at a manufacturing firm in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which produces wood chair frames and components for distribution worldwide. The research involved both the day and night shift employees of four "work cells" or units, each numbering three to four workers. Two work cells were randomly assigned to be trained in assertive communication. The other tw o work cells, the comparison group, were trained in preventive …

Interim Outcomes And Change Processes: A Case Study Of School Restructuring, Meg V. Blinkiewicz

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was two-fold: (1) to describe interim outcomes that occurred within a restructuring school district and the change processes related to each outcome; and (2) to confirm or expand what is known about educational restructuring. Individual interviews were conducted with fifty-five (55) persons including central office administrators, principals, teachers, support staff, parents, and School Board members. Approximately 120 hours were spent in the field observing meetings, classroom activities, and other events. Existing documentation (meeting minutes, policies, and procedures) also was reviewed.

This study produced detailed descriptions o f six categories of interim outcomes that …

A Comparison Of Teacher Attitudes Based Upon Their Involvement In Various Levels Of Staff Development, James Lehto

Dissertations

This study sought to measure the relationship between teacher attitude and involvement in staff development. It was conducted as a follow-up to a recent implementation and audit of educational standards in the state of Wisconsin and focused upon the results of Standard B for Staff Development. The study compared the attitudes of teachers based upon their involvement in various levels of staff development, which were determined through the audit process.

Previous literature described in the report focused upon the background of state educational standards as well as previous studies which attempted to assess employee attitudes and staff development. In both …

An Exploratory Study Of Sentient Evaluators: Communication, Ethics, And Relationships In The Evaluation Process, Mary Elizabeth Piontek

Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop hypotheses about the ways evaluators involve stakeholders, clients, and audiences in the evaluation process and communicate their findings to these groups. A sentient evaluator was defined as an evaluator who takes an active role in promoting the program that s/he is investigating and deliberately seeks to represent underrepresented stakeholders. This type of evaluator has her/his own ethical or moral agenda through which s/he views the program being evaluated and takes a formative perspective on program development and improvement.

Evaluators (n=12) believed to be sentient because they displayed certain characteristics were compared …

A Descriptive Study Of Michigan Auto Workers' (Uaw) Physical And Psychological Responses To 1987 Plant Closures, Lorraine Marie Oginsky

Dissertations

A descriptive study ( 1991-1992) examined 166 closing and nonclosing UAW auto workers in two General Motors settings, as to how they cope mentally and physically with unemployment and displacement 5 years after plant closure and mass layoffs. Workers were asked the question, "Is job loss a threat, a loss, or a challenge?"

Lazarus and Folkman' s ( 1984) Stress, Appraisal and Coping and the Stress Coping Model (Lazarus, 1980) provided the theoretical basis for this study. Measures included the investigator designed Plant Closing Questionnaire, Revised Ways of Coping (Folkman & Lazarus, undated), Hassles and Uplifts Scale (Lazarus & Folkman, …

A Study In Correctional Leadership And Conflict Within The Informal Organization Of A Correctional Setting: A Paradigm Shift In Correctional Treatment, Francis L. Crowe

Dissertations

This research was designed to achieve two purposes. First, it ascertained what modes were preferred by inmates to resolve conflict in a correctional setting as measured on the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Second, it measured whether participation in a 12-hour, conflict resolution, cognitive treatment program would significantly change the inmate’s ability to handle conflict in a more positive manner.

There were three major components to this research. First, a group of 66 inmates from the Kent County Correctional Facility Honor Camp in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was tested using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Resolution Mode Instrument. Second, using randomization, the participants were …

Relationships Among Job Satisfaction, Productivity, And Supervision Provided To Financial Planners, Larry Leslie

Dissertations

This study examined job satisfaction and appraisals of management actions as they related to sales productivity for financial planners. Planners from three Midwestern divisions of a national brokerage firm comprised the non-random sample (n = 89, out o f 137 potential participants, for a response rate of 65%). The planners completed two surveys: (1) Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (long form, 1967 revision) for obtaining job satisfaction data; and (2) The PROFILOR™, from Personnel Decisions, Inc., for determining planner appraisals of their immediate superior’s leadership actions. Productivity information, using two different measures (one related to sales of financial products, the other related …

Adaptive Leadership Style And Sales Performance: A Test Of The Social Style Model, Frank M. Gambino

Dissertations

The Social Style Model served as the central theoretical framework of this study. The purpose of this study was twofold:

1. To assess whether performance evaluations of salespeople are related (a) to their social styles, (b) to the social styles of the sales managers who supervise their work, or (c) to the differences between their social styles and the styles of their sales supervisors.

2. To test the assumption that self-evaluations of social style are often significantly different from evaluations supplied by others who are familiar with a person’s behavior.

Two types of empirical data were collected: <1) measures of three social style variables—assertiveness, responsiveness, and versatility—for salespeople and sales supervisors, and (2) measures of salespeople’s overall job performance. Job performance was assessed using both self-ratings and supervisory ratings on five constructs of sales performance: (1) ability to meet sales objectives, (2) technical knowledge and application of that knowledge, (3) control of company expenses, (4) information processing, and (5) presentation skills. Social style was assessed using self-, peer and supervisory ratings.

Mail surveys were …

Using Technology For Dispensing Information, Ray Hoag

Dissertations

Technology that enhances communication through the use of digitized media abounds. Yet, there is a perception that education does not use technology's full potential to communicate with its audience. This dissertation demonstrates that a technological solution can communicate relevant educational information. Extensive documentation provides a high level departure point for subsequent technology enhanced communication projects.

The planning team for the Applied Technology Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wanted an application to express the center's name-implied mission. This opportunity was fulfilled by the development of a point-of-information kiosk application, the dissertation's focal point. Methodology included using project management software to identify …

Productivity And Perceived Work Environment Of Work Groups In Poland, Donald L. Gusfa

Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relation between levels of productivity and perceptions of autonomy among similar work groups. The analysis of data obtained did not support a tendency for perceptions of high autonomy among workers to be directly related to high levels of productivity. Data were obtained from workers at six carbide tool manufacturing plants in Poland who were administered the Work Environment Scale (WES) Form R (Moos, 1981) to measure perception of autonomy. The data were collected in February 1991. Analysis of the WES data used the Kendall tau test to investigate the relation …

Stakeholder Perceptions Of Barriers To Implementing Shared Decision-Making In Wisconsin Schools, Donald John Viegut

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was (a) to investigate if differences exist in stakeholder perceptions of barriers to implementing shared decision-making (SDM), and (b) to investigate if differences exist in stakeholder perceptions across the following constructs of shared decision- making: empowerment, leadership, motivation, organizational culture, accountability, and learning organizations. Randomly selected members from the stakeholder categories of: parents, board of education members, superintendents, principals, and teachers, were the sample (N = 100). Stakeholder perception was compared on a composite score of the survey instrument. Perceptions were also compared across the six constructs of SDM for each of the stakeholder categories. …

Dyadic Similarity Of The Superintendent-Principal Interpersonal Relationship, Principal’S Job Satisfaction, And Subordinate’S Performance Evaluation, Richard William Drury

Dissertations

Due to mounting school improvement demands, the role of the principal has increasingly received pressure throughout the past decade. Although frequently referred to as the catalyst for effective school change, few empirical studies exist addressing organizational variables influencing this key administrative position. It has strongly been suggested that the interpersonal relationship principals share with their superintendent may affect the principal's job satisfaction and performance evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the situational effect of dyadic similarity on the superintendent-principal interpersonal relationship. Specifically, the study explored the relationship of managerial, dyadic similarity and subordinate outcomes. According to similarity …

Family Birth Order And Leadership Behavior Of Public School Principals In Michigan, Larry J. Corbett

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the leadership behavior patterns of principals of public schools in Michigan as related to family birth order. The 341 elementary, middle, and high school principals chosen in this study were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire elicited responses from the principals to attempt to relate family birth order with concern for production and concern for people. Ninety percent of all potential subjects participated in the survey. The survey responses were applied to the Leadership Grid ® (Blake & McCanse, 1991) for comparison.

The t test for independent means was used to …

The Importance Of Evaluation Questions In Human Resources Development: Audience Perspectives, Fahad Al-Ruwaished

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate and explore how the perception and focus of human resources development (HRD) evaluation relates to different audiences and clients, and to make recommendations to individuals and organizations involved in designing, developing, and implementing HRD evaluation. The study used the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, and Product) evaluation model to operationally define the kinds of evaluation questions as dependent variables. The study independent variable was the organizational role, operationally defined as simulated HRD audiences, i.e., CEOs, managers, trainers, and trainees.

The ' human resources evaluation questionnaire (HREQ) was developed by the researcher to measure …

Preferred Motivators For Previously Incarcerated Criminals, Selma R. Massey

Dissertations

The issue of motivators has been studied by a number of researchers and practitioners in education, sociology, and psychology. Many of these studies have linked motivators to behavior (Coffey, 1987; Coleman, 1987; Gellerman, 1963; Gould & Sigall, 1977). Questions remain, however, as to which motivators are viewed by actors themselves as the most preferred influencers of behavior. The primary objective of the research was to compare the rank order of the most frequently cited motivators identified in research studies and the rank order of the most preferred motivators as perceived by previously incarcerated criminal respondents. A secondary objective was to …

The Relationship Between Communication Skills Of First Line Nurse Managers And Stability, Sherry A. Blair

Dissertations

The relationship between communication styles of nurse managers and stability of the registered nurses in their respective departments was investigated. A random sample of first-line nurse managers (N = 83) in 10 hospitals in lower Michigan were surveyed. The communication style of the first-line nurse manager was determined by the Professional Communication Inventory (Pfaff & Busch, 1990). Stability was reported by participants through the use of an inventory designed by the researcher. Data analysis did not reveal any relationships between a managers' communication skills and the stability of registered nurses in their unit(s).

Requisite Managerial Leadership Behaviors: A Diagnostic Role-Set Study Of Executives Within A Fortune 500 Corporation, Prudence Labeach Pollard

Dissertations

This study examined the extent to which executives' perceptions of their managerial leadership behaviors compare to their role-set's perceptions of the same behaviors. Additionally, the difference between the perceptions was related to the identified requisite executive skills and behaviors. Executives and their role-set were informed of the developmental purpose for which they were making the ratings. An executive's role-set is comprised of superior, peers, and subordinates, who spend significant amounts of time with the executive and are best able to observe the executive's behavior.

The Management Skills Profile (MSP) was used to investigate self and each role-set group's ratings of …

Comparison Study Of The Implementation Rate Of Eighteen Middle School Characteristics In Michigan And National Blue Ribbon Schools, Gregg G. Mowen

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the current amount of Implementation of the 18 middle school characteristics as reported by principals from randomly selected middle level schools In the state of Michigan and In middle level schools designated as Blue Ribbon schools (U.S. Department of Education, 1991). This study used a survey questionnaire that was initially designed by RIegle (1971) to measure the rate of Implementation of the middle school characteristics. The survey was mailed to Michigan and Blue Ribbon middle level school principals, selected randomly via a table of random numbers. The return rate for Michigan schools …

The Financial Implications Of School District Consolidation In Michigan, William P. Letarte

Dissertations

The consolidation of public school districts in Michigan has again become an issue with the state legislature with the introduction of Senate Bill 570 of 1989 and Senate Bill 344 of 1991, both of which have proposed a reduction in the number of school districts to a maximum of 200 and a minimum size of 2,000 students per district. The last major legislative initiative in Michigan was from 1960 to 1970 when the number of public school districts was reduced from 2,149 to 638.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model of school district reorganization and then …

Self-Efficacy And Academic Success Of Integrated And Segregated Emotionally Impaired Adolescents, Jerry William Davisson

Dissertations

In this study, levels of self-efficacy and levels of academic success of emotionally impaired adolescents in both integrated and segregated settings were analyzed. The data were analyzed to determine if placement setting (integrated or segregated) impact: self-efficiency levels, academic success levels, and the relationship between self-efficiency and academic success.

Subjects were selected from two junior high schools within Macomb County, Michigan. The integrated junior high educated emotionally impaired students with nonimpaired students and the segregated junior high educated emotionally impaired students with only other emotionally impaired students. Eleven students from the integrated junior high and 28 students from the segregated …

The Psychological Typologies And Leadership Behaviors Of First-Line Supervisors In A Large Automotive Company, James Joseph Conlen

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological typologies and leadership behaviors related to participative management of first-line supervisors in a plant of a large automotive company. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI, Myers & McCaulley, 1985) was used as a measure of psychological typologies. The Group Environment Scale (GES, Moos, 1974) was used as a measure of leadership behaviors. The population was 113 first-line supervisors; complete data were obtained for 76 supervisors (67%).

Hypotheses were formulated upon the expectation that GES mean scores would differ depending upon MBTI personality type. Twelve directional hypotheses were investigated using four MBTI …

A Comparison Of Male And Female Elementary School Principals' Perceived Instructional Leadership Behavior, Carol Lynn Babcock

Dissertations

This study investigated and compared the perceptions of male and female elementary school principal's instructional leadership behavior. Perceptions were solicited from elementary school principals who held membership in the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association. The objective of the study was to compare male and female elementary school principal's perceptions of their instructional leadership behavior. The dimensions of instructional leadership compared were: Defining the Mission, Managing the Instructional Program, and Promoting School Climate.

The Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (Hallinger & Murphy, 1985) sought perceptions on the major dimensions of instructional leadership behavior. The survey was mailed to the …

The Relationship Between Power Bases And Conflict Management Styles Of Indonesia’S Formal Leaders, Wirawan

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the power bases and conflict management styles of Indonesia’s formal leaders. French and Raven’s (1959) theory of power was used to define the power bases. Thomas and Kilmann’s (1974) theory of conflict management was used to define the conflict management styles. The study assumed that Indonesia’s formal leaders used certain kinds of power bases and conflict management styles in their leadership, and their cultural background influenced their leadership behavior.

Three null hypotheses were proposed to guide the research: (1) that there was no correlation between power bases and conflict management styles of …

Competencies Needed For Effective Church Leadership From The Perspective Of Current Pastors, Cecile Elizabeth Fransman Hewitt

Dissertations

Contemporary needs of the African-American church are both deeply spiritual and agonizingly physical, and the resultant burden of the church has never been more challenging. Today's needs in the church call for diverse leadership.

This study generated and measured the perception of importance of 22 competencies for effective leadership as pastors of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The study also sought to determine which of the competencies were performed, shared, delegated, or not performed at each responsive church. Finally, the study sought to determine the extent to which selected demographic factors were related to the perception of importance.

The perceptions …

Activity Between Supervisors And Supervisees Outside Of Their Supervisory Sessions, Paul R. Ginter

Dissertations

The present study explores non-sexual activities between supervisors and supervisees outside the context of psychotherapy supervision. The two general questions posed in this study are (1) what is the nature of non-sexual activity between supervisors and supervisees outside of supervision, and (2 ) what is the perceived impact (if any) on the supervision process?

Questionnaires were distributed to matched pairs of supervisory dyads at APA-approved predoctoral internship sites. The two types of internships included in the study were counseling centers at universities, and psychiatric hospitals. Sixty-six supervisory dyads were included in the analysis, selected from 152 returned questionnaires. The respondents …

A Replication Of The National Association Of Secondary School Principals Study Of High School Principals And Their Schools In Michigan, Helen M. Potoczak

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to replicate in part and with revisions in the state of Michigan the 1987 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) study of high school principals and their schools (Pellicer, Anderson, Keefe, Kelley, & McCleary, 1988). The research questions were (a) to determine if the personal and professional characteristics of high school principals in Michigan were similar to those throughout the United States; (b) to determine if the data of the national study compared to Michigan in regard to selected demographics and job related tasks of principals; and (c) to determine when the data …

Perceptions Of Leadership Styles Of Principals In The Archdiocese Of Detroit, Denise Seymour

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the congruence of perceptions of ideal and real leadership behavior of principals in Catholic elementary and high schools located in the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Leadership Behavior Description Questionnaire (Halpin, 1957a), (LBDQ) developed through the College of Administrative Sciences at Ohio State University, was used. An instrument developed by the researcher was used to collect data on age, gender, experience and religious or lay status of principals and teachers.

The data were analyzed using the SAS Package for the IBM 4341 utilizing the CMS operating system at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo) Statistical …

The Relationship Between Absenteeism And The Amount Of Overtime Worked In Various Job Classifications In A Metal Fabrication Plant, Thomas D. Hopkins

Dissertations

A causal comparative study was conducted to test the relationship between absenteeism and the amount of overtime worked in various job classifications. The study was conducted in a metal stamping plant. The 4.5-year study tested absence percentage data for the three classifications of skilled, service, and nonskilled employees. The study supported the hypothesis that there is a relationship between absenteeism and job classification. The study could not support either a relationship between the amount of overtime worked and absenteeism or a relationship between the interaction of job classification and overtime worked on the absentee rate. Implications were discussed pertaining to …

A Study Of Leadership Styles Of The County Sheriffs In The State Of Michigan, David A. Miramonti

Dissertations

This study sought to determine if there was an identifiable preferred leadership style used by law enforcement administrators, as represented by the county sheriffs in the state of Michigan. The study also sought to determine whether there was any relationship between certain previously identified variables and leadership style preference. Finally, the study gathered information about the background of county sheriffs.

The available literature in the field established the main hypothesis: that a humanistic style of leadership is preferred. Eight other hypotheses were developed to analyze the relationship between the variables of age, educational level, education major, years in law enforcement, …