Perception of University Managers on the Influence of Organizational Structure on Quality of Management in Public and Private Universities in Kenya

S Kereto ,Mwangi Ndirangu ,Anthony K Sang

doi:10.7176/ejbm/13-20-06

Abstract

Quality of institutional management is arguably a major determinant of organizational performance. The role of managers and the activities and tasks they perform as aided by the organizational structure could lead to the effective and efficient implementation of organizational objectives and goals. This study was undertaken to establish the perception of university managers on the influence of organizational structure on the quality of institutional management of universities in Kenya. The study design was descriptive research. Purposive sampling procedure was used in selecting the universities. Random stratification sampling was used to administer the questionnaire to the managers in the universities. Positive responses were received from 137 managers from a target of 263 giving a 62.6% response rate. The response from university managers showed an average positive response rate at 60%. There was a statistically significant difference at (p<0.05) on the perception of managers in the public and private universities on the influence of organizational structure on the dimension of customer satisfaction. The organizational structures in the private universities were found to be more customer centric than those of public universities. Private universities management practices emphasized concern for customer needs. This translated into provision of quality services and products in order to meet customers’ expectations for their satisfaction and retention. . Keywords: Organizational Structures, Quality of Management, Customer satisfaction, Structural Flexibility, Decision making, Teamwork DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-20-06 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Highlights

Universities all over the world play a major role in the socio-economic development of their countries
Six characteristics were used to describe the quality dimensions as practiced by management that positively influenced the quality of management in the universities
6.0 Conclusion The findings from the study conclude that quality of management practices in both pubic and private universities was positive. Both public and private universities practice quality management practices such as quick decision making, concern for customer satisfaction, teamwork, delegation of authority, communication channels and structural flexibility. This implies that regardless of the fact that the organizational structures were found to be mechanistic, the managerial practices that enhance quality of management were being practiced by the university managers

Summary

Introduction

Universities all over the world play a major role in the socio-economic development of their countries. They are responsible for the production of highly skilled manpower, research, and dissemination of new knowledge. Just like all other organizations today, universities operate under increasing demands for change and reform. The rate of change has become more intensive due to globalization, increasing competition, technological development and a customer-driven market demands (Eckel & King, 2013). Some of the challenges being faced by universities in Kenya include rapid growth in higher education sector especially from the early 1990’s. The demand for higher education enrolment levels increased on a scale not experienced before (Boit & Kipkoech, 2012). The growth and expansion has triggered questions on quality at observed by Mulinge, Arasa & Wawire (2017), who noted that the growth has raised questions about the quality of management of universities in Kenya

Methods

Results

Conclusion