Comparisons of Leadership Behavior Among Physical Education Chairpersons in Taiwan and the United States

Abstract

This study of leadership behavior (LB) among physical education related department chairpersons (PECs) in Taiwan and the United States (U.S.A.) was primarily undertaken to probe the actual and ideal LB in terms of initiating structure, consideration, reconciliation, persuasiveness, and integration as perceived by PECs and their faculty members (FMs) in Taiwan and the U.S.A.. In Taiwan, of the 420 FMs in 39 physical education related departments, 300 FMs were randomly selected and all 39 PECs were invited to .participate in this study. In the U.S.A., 150 PECs and 900 FMs from the same departments in 454 universities were randomly selected to participate in this study. The results showed that in Taiwan and the U.S.A., PECs regarded their actual implementation of LB in initiating structure, consideration, reconciliation, persuasiveness and integration to be used significantly more often than FMs did. Obviously, PECs had high level of self-confidence on their actual LB. In Taiwan, there were no significant differences that existed between the perception of PECs and FMs regarding ideal expectations of LB in initiating structure, consideration, reconciliation, persuasiveness and integration, respectively. In the U.S.A., PECs had more ideal expectations of LB in initiating structure, consideration and reconciliation than FMs did. So PECs in the U.S.A. were eager to give more LB to their FMs. However, FMs did not completely agree with the LB of their superiors, and they were still not satisfied with the LB of their PECs. The U.S.A. FMs regarded that their PECs LB in initiating structure was significantly used more often than Taiwanese FMs did. However, Taiwanese FMs regarded that their PECs LB in integration was significantly used more often than the U.S.A. FMs did. The U.S.A. FMs were more satisfied with their PECs LB in initiating structure, but Taiwanese FMs were more satisfied with their PECs LB in integration. There were no significant differences between the perceptions of Taiwanese FMs and the perceptions of the U.S.A. FMs regarding ideal expectations of LB in each dimension of LB. The U.S.A. PECs perceived that their LB in initiating structure and consideration were significantly used more often than Taiwanese PECs did. The U.S.A. PECs had more ideal expectations in PECs LB in initiating structure, consideration and reconciliation than Taiwanese PECs did. Generally, the U.S.A. PECs made a better appraisal of their own LB and also hope to do much better. High level of consideration, initiating structure, reconciliation, persuasiveness, and integration are common expectations of PECs and FMs both in Taiwan and the U.S.A. They are needed to meet PECs and FMs expectations so as to enhance the departments effectiveness.