Perceptions of Board Effectiveness in Selected Institutions of Higher Education in Zimbabwe
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2004 Perceptions of Board Effectiveness in Selected Institutions of Higher Education in Zimbabwe Bonginkosi Zvandasara Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the Higher Education Administration Commons Recommended Citation Zvandasara, Bonginkosi, "Perceptions of Board Effectiveness in Selected Institutions of Higher Education in Zimbabwe" (2004). Dissertations. 1702. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1702 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT PERCEPTIONS OF BOARD EFFECTIVENESS IN SELECTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ZIMBABWE by Bonginkosi Zvandasara Chair: Hinsdale Bernard ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEACH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: PERCEPTIONS OF BOARD EFFECTIVENESS IN SELECTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ZIMBABWE Name of researcher: Bonginkosi Zvandasara Name and degree of faculty chair: Hinsdale Bernard, Ph.D. Date completed: April 2004 Problem The purpose of this study was to identify the level of board effectiveness in selected private and public universities in Zimbabwe as perceived by board members. Also, the study sought to determine the influence of such demographic variables as age, education level, and years of service on the seven factors of university functioning: institutional mission, institutional planning, physical plant, financial management, board membership, board organization and performance, and board/vice chancellor relations. Method The survey method was used to collect data. Respondents were asked to complete a 47-item questionnaire and indicate their level of agreement on each of the questions (3 = yes, 2 = uncertain, and 1 = no). The sample for the study was made up of 29 university council members from each of the three selected universities giving a total of 87. Out of 87 survey forms mailed, a total of 55 respondents returned usable survey forms. The data were analyzed using mean scores and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The respondents at University Council A perceived the board to be effective in four of the seven areas of university functioning. There were significant differences in perception on institutional planning based on education level(p = .000). Board members with bachelor’s and master’s degrees revealed that they were better at institutional planning than those with a doctorate. Respondents at University Council B perceived the board to be effective in six of the seven areas of university functioning. Significant differences in perception on institutional planning based on education level were noted(p = .016). Those with a doctorate regarded institutional planning more highly than board members with master’s degrees. Finally, respondents from University Council C perceived the board to be effective in six out of seven areas of university functioning. Differences in perception occurred on institutional mission based on age differences(p = .001), board membership based on age (p - .010), board organization and performance based on age (p = .007), and board organization and performance based on education level {p = .034). Newman- Keuls post hoc tests revealed that older members regarded institutional mission, board membership, and board organization and performance more highly than the younger members. Further, at University C, data reveal that those with doctorate degrees tended to be more organized and to perform better on board matters than those with master’s degrees. Conclusions There is a great deal of consensus in perception among university council members at the three selected universities in Zimbabwe regarding their effectiveness in accomplishing the seven areas of university functioning. However, all three university councils need to emphasize diversity in regard to board composition to include gender in the selection process. Universities in the study should develop an orientation and continuing education program in order to gain an in-depth knowledge of the institutions they serve. Fund-raising for the institutions should not be left to the CEO alone, but should also be the duty of every board member. Andrews University School of Education PERCEPTIONS OF BOARD EFFECTIVENESS IN SELECTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ZIMBABWE A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Bonginkosi Zvandasara April 2004 ©Copyright by Bonginkosi Zvandasara 2004 All Rights Reserved PERCEPTIONS OF BOARD EFFECTIVENESS IN SELECTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN ZIMBABWE A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Bonginkosi Zvandasara APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: — r Dean.2an, School of Education James Jeffery External: Bruce Bauer Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.............................................................................................. vi Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 Structure of University Governance ............................................................... 1 University Governance in Zimbabwe .......................................................... 4 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................ 5 Purpose of the Study .........................................................................................6 Significance of the Study ..................................................................................6 University Councils in Zimbabwe ................................................................... 6 Functions of the University Council ................................................................ 7 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................... 9 Research Questions .........................................................................................10 Definition of Terms ........................................................................................ 13 Zimbabwe Terms .................................................................................... 13 United States of America Terms .................................................................. 14 Overview of Research Design ......................................................................... 15 Basic Assumptions......................................................................................... 15 Delimitations of the Study ............................................................................ 15 Organization of the Study ................................................................................ 16 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................................ 18 Introduction........................................................................................................18 Overview of Conceptual Framework ................................. 24 Background of Universities in Zimbabwe ..................................................... 28 Solusi University ............................................................................. 28 Governance of the University................................... 31 University administration.........................................................................31 Africa University ...................................................................................... 32 Governance of the University...................................................................34 University administration...................................................................... 35 Faculty and staff.......................................................................................35 National University of Science and Technology ....................................... 37 University governance...........................................................................38 University administration.................................................................. ......39 Faculty and staff.......................................................................................39 The Origins of Academic Trusteeship ........................................................... 41 Roles and Responsibilities of Trustees in African States ...............................44 Board Responsibilities in the United States of America ................................ 45 Trustee Effectiveness .................................................................................... 52 Trustee Accountability to Stakeholders ......................................................... 55 Summary ....................................................................................................... 56 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 59 Research Design ...........................................................................................