Content area
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine (1) to what degree faculty members were participating in decision making and problem solving as perceived by faculty members and administrators, (2) to what degree faculty members should be participating in decision making and problem solving as perceived by faculty members and administrators, and (3) whether there were significant differences in the responses of participants because of their sex, age, level of education, length of employment in education, length of employment in areas other than education, and employment in instructional positions as compared to administrative positions.
The population of this study was the administrators and faculty members of Central Community College.
The research questions of this study required the assessment of institutional attitudes toward management systems. A standardized instrument called the Profile of Organizational Characteristics (POC) was used as a measure of attitudes toward management systems.
The population was composed of both younger and older employees, experienced and non-experienced teachers and administrators, and relatively new employees as well as employees of long standing.
The analysis of the data related to the characteristics of the respondents to this study revealed that the sex, age, level of education, length of employment in education, length of employment in areas other than education, and employment in instructional positions as compared to administrative positions had no significant effect on the responses of the participants to the instrument.
There was a significant difference between the perceived current level of participation in decision making and problem solving and the level of desired participation in decision making and problem solving. Both faculty and administrators desired greater involvement of faculty members in problem-solving activities of the organization.
