Leadership Style, Work Environment, Organizational Silence and Institutional Effectiveness of Polytechnic Libraries, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

The goal of the library is to provide quality service and lifelong learning facilities to its users. However, there are indications of low level of effectiveness in many polytechnic libraries. Studies revealed that this could be attributed to leadership style, work environment and organisational silence. The study, therefore, investigated the extent to which the independent variables influenced institutional effectiveness of polytechnic libraries in South-West, Nigeria. The research adopted survey research design. The population consisted of 429 library personnel from the 32 polytechnic libraries in South-West, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 24 (75%) polytechnic libraries. Total enumeration was used for the 368 personnel. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients ranged from .81 to .95. The return rate was 86.96%. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that there was a combined positive and significant influence of leadership style, work environment and organisational silence on institutional effectiveness. Furthermore, the level of institutional effectiveness was low; leadership style predominately practiced was transactional closely followed by transformational leadership style. The work environment of employees was found to be unconducive. Organisational silence was at a low degree in the Polytechnics. In conclusion, leadership style, work environment and organizational silence were major factors contributing to low level of institutional effectiveness. Study recommended that heads of libraries should practise more of transformational leadership style and create a conducive work environment. Heads of libraries need to ensure that opinions and ideas of employees are considered so that institutional effectiveness could be increased.