Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2014 A Quantitative Case Study of Transformational Leadership Characteristics of Valley View University in Ghana Isaac Boateng Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, and the Leadership Studies Commons Recommended Citation Boateng, Isaac, "A Quantitative Case Study of Transformational Leadership Characteristics of Valley View University in Ghana" (2014). Dissertations. 234. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/234 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]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT A QUANTITATIVE CASE STUDY OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY IN GHANA by Isaac Boateng Chair: Erich Baumgartner ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: A QUANTITATIVE CASE STUDY OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY IN GHANA Name of researcher: Isaac Boateng Name and degree of faculty chair: Erich Baumgartner, Ph.D. Date completed: April 2014 Problem Statement Finding transformational leaders for private higher education institutions in Ghana is a major problem facing the governing boards of such institutions. There is tremendous growth at Valley View University. Finding transformational leaders could help support the growth of Valley View University (VVU). The task of university leaders has become very complex, ranging from communication, interaction, collaboration, shared leadership, policy interpretation, meeting the needs of foundations, boards, parents, students, alumni, faculty, staff, accreditation boards and the government. Therefore, finding transformational leaders for Valley View University to meet the above leadership challenges is a major problem. Purpose The purpose of this study was to measure transformational leadership characteristics among the leaders of Valley View University. The transformational leadership characteristics that were measured are: Idealized Influence (attribute and behavior), Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration. Research Methodology This study is an empirical quantitative case study. An empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge either by observation or through experience. In this research the transformational leadership experiences of Valley View University leaders are measured with survey called the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire. A 5-point scale for rating the frequency of the observed leader’s behaviors was used. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 and independent samples t-test. The participants who took part in the survey were staff and faculty members who play some specific leadership roles at VVU (administrators) as well as student leaders. Results A benchmark score of 3.0 was set as the cut-off point for transformational leadership characteristics. Fifty percent of the student leaders scored between 2.75 and 3.25, indicating weaker self-perceived transformational leadership characteristics among the student leader respondents. The student leaders’ mean score was 2.97, which indicates that student leaders at VVU do not perceive themselves as having transformational leadership characteristics. The administrators’ mean score was 3.51, indicating that administrators perceive themselves as having transformational leadership characteristics. Fifty percent of administrators scored between 3.25 and 3.75, showing from moderate to strong transformational leadership characteristics. The composite score for both administrators and student leaders was 3.40, showing that leaders at VVU perceived themselves as having transformational leadership characteristics. The strongest transformational leadership variable was Inspirational Motivation (3.61), and the weakest was Individualized Consideration. Conclusions The results have shown that administrators at Valley View University perceived themselves as having transformational leadership characteristics in all five areas of transformational leadership with a mean score of 3.51. This self-perception is in tension with VVU Strategic Planning Committee report. There is therefore the need for further and continuous education for the administrators so that these desirable qualities can be used in a more gainful way to help Valley View University meet its leadership goals. The emphasis of such education (leadership development) should strengthen VVU’s weak areas, such as poor communication, poorly defined administrative roles, a participatory decision-making process (shared leadership), and faculty and staff development. The results also showed that student leaders at Valley View University do not perceive themselves as having transformational leadership characteristics. The mean score of 2.97 was a hair below the 3.0 benchmark point. Student leaders also need training to correct the weak areas. Andrews University School of Education A QUANTITATIVE CASE STUDY OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY IN GHANA A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Isaac Boateng April 2014 © Copyright by Isaac Boateng 2014 All Rights Reserved A QUANTITATIVE CASE STUDY OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY IN GHANA A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Isaac Bimpeh Boateng APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _________________________________ ______________________________ Chair: Erich Baumgartner Dean, School of Education James R. Jeffery _________________________________ Member: Subir Dass _________________________________ Member: Isadore Newman _________________________________ ______________________________ External: Gustavo Gregorutti Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 Background of the Study ................................................................................. 1 Problem Statement ........................................................................................... 5 Purpose ............................................................................................................ 6 The Significance of the Study .......................................................................... 8 Research Questions ........................................................................................ 11 Research Methodology .................................................................................. 12 Assumptions of the Study .............................................................................. 14 Delimitations .................................................................................................. 15 Organization and Overview of the Study ...................................................... 16 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 17 Introduction .................................................................................................... 17 Leadership in Higher Educational Institutions .............................................. 17 Description of Transformational Leadership Characteristics ........................ 19 Idealized Influence ............................................................................... 19 Inspirational Motivation ....................................................................... 20 Intellectual Stimulation ........................................................................ 21 Individualized Consideration ............................................................... 21 Definition of Leadership ................................................................................ 22 Factors for Effective Leadership in Higher Educational Institutions ............ 24 Vision as an Imperative in Higher Education Leadership ................... 27 Shared Leadership in Higher Education .............................................. 28 Emotional Intelligence and Higher Educational Leadership ............... 30 Values and Ethics in Higher Educational Leadership .......................... 32 Recruiting and Developing a High-Performance Team ....................... 34 Communication .................................................................................... 35 Leadership for Private Higher Learning Institutions in Ghana ..................... 37 The Evolution of Transformational Leadership ...........................................