A CONTINGENCY APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF A MULTICAMPUS INSTITUTION OF HIGHER TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

This study set out to determine the effectiveness of contingency approach to the management of a multicampus institution of higher technical education in Nigeria. This was with a view to making policy recommendations for more effective management of the tertiary institutions in the Country. Based on the conceptual framework of the contingency approach to management, the study which was carried out before the creation of Osun State from Oyo State in 1991 covered a multicampus institution of higher technical education in Nigeria - The Polytechnic, Ibadan and its satellite campuses at Eruwa, Esa-Oke, Iree and Saki. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Three sets of questionnaire were used as instrument: The MPQ, the NAMQ and the SVQ were administered to 546 randomly selected subjects from the Academics, Non-Academic and Students population of the institution covered by this study. These were complemented with records at the National Board for Technical Education, Kaduna and The Polytechnic, Ibadan and the responses of all the categories of respondents to oral interview conducted by the researcher. The data collected through the instruments used were analysed with the use of Z-distribution statistical tool to determine the degree of the effectiveness of contingency approach to the management of multi-campus institutions of higher technical education in Nigeria. The findings from the study established that:(a) Contingency as a style may be one leadership style for the effective management of a multicampus institution of higher technical education;(b) There is significant relevance of communication skill of the manager for effective management of a multi-campus institution of higher technical education;(c) There is significant relationship between the ability of the manager to motivate the workers and the organizational goals achievement of a multicampus institution of higher technical education; (d) The contingency approach to management is more effective than the system approach to managing a multicampus institution of higher technical education; The policy implications of these findings for effective management of a multi-campus institution of higher technical education were enumerated and suggestions were made on how a multi-campus institution of higher technical education could be better managed, using contingency approach to management. The highlights of the suggestions include:(a) That the management of multi-campus institutions of higher technical education must be adaptive by placing high premium on contingency approach;(b) Managers of multi-campus institutions of technical education should learn to understand the dynamic changing nature of environmental forces both internal and external facing their institution at a point in time;(c) A clear understanding of the potential of contingency concepts by the leaders and administrators of multi-campus institution of higher technical education is strongly recommended; (d) That the managers of multi-campus institution of higher technical education should learn how to solve their institution's problems based on the situations within the environment;(e) The managers of multi-campus institution of higher technical education must up-date their knowledge with new ideas about effective management through training and self-development.