Academic Staffs’ Motivation for Leadership Service in Higher Learning Institutions: the Case of Four Public Universities in Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract This study was aimed at assessing the readiness of academic staffs to serve in their university leadership. To this end, a descriptive survey research design has been employed. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 386 academic staffs and top leaders of four public universities: Adama Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Debre Birehan University and Arsi Universities using questionnaire, FGD, and KII. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative data. The study reveals that, in spite of some irregularities, recruitment for middle and lower level leadership in public universities is carried out through open competition; however, academic staffs are less interested to serve in their university leadership mainly due to lack of willingness to scarifies work-life balance, lack of transparency in the leadership selection process, and unnecessary government political interference. Minimizing political interference, introducing attractive incentive packages, ensuring transparency and decentralization of power have been recommended to curb the existing problems.