Factors Affecting Department Heads’Relationship with Faculty Members at Jordanian Universities

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the factors that affecting the chairs-faculty members ‹relationship from faculty members› perspective at Jordanian universities. Moreover, the study aimed to reveal the degree of variation of these factors on this relationship. The study population consisted of all faculty members at Jordanian in the academic year of (2015-2016). A random sample of (950) faculty members were picked using availability approach, out of which )540( members responded. The descriptive correlative approach was used and a )32( items questionnaire was designed that was divided into four dimensions: the practice of the department chairs for their leadership role, enabling faculty members by training and administrative development, owning the department chairs for communication skills, and the chairs-faculty members› relationship. The results indicated that the overall level of each of the study dimensions was «moderate». Moreover, the results illuminated the statistical significances between the responders› means on the four dimensions due to the study variables )university, faculty, academic rank, and years of experience(. Finally, the results showed that the top factor that impacts the chairs-faculty members› relationship was owning the department chairs for communication skills, followed by enabling faculty members by training and administrative development, then the practice of the department chairs for their leadership role. Though, all these factors have positive impact on this relationship.