An Evaluation of Arrogance Orientations of Academicians in Higher Education According to Student and Alumni Opinions

Abstract

Arrogant individuals are individuals who tend to position themselves in the center, both in their daily lives and in organizational life, and their relationships with others. While they exaggerate their importance, they tend to take over success in any case. Arrogance, which has the potential to adversely affect the organizational climate, can turn into an obstacle to the state of collective engagement and have a devastating effect on the science discipline, for example, in the academic community. In this context, this study aims to examine the arrogance orientations of academicians working in universities, which are higher education organizations. For this purpose, phenomenology, which is a qualitative research design, was used, and thirteen participants consisting of undergraduate and graduate students and graduates were reached with the maximum variation sampling method. The data obtained through focus group interviews using semi-structured questions were analyzed in terms of content using the Maxquda qualitative data analysis program. Findings obtained as a result of the analyses reveal that the arrogance orientations of academicians were gathered under the dimensions of individuality, comparison, contempt, and discrediting. Based on these results, it is possible to indicate that it affects the academic organization climate negatively and feeds on individuality. In this context, it can contribute to reducing the potentially destructive effects of arrogance by encouraging collective work in academic organizations.