Date of Publication :12th May 2023

Abstract: The study established the extent to which leadership styles influence organizational commitment of academic staff in Kyambogo and Uganda Christian Universities. The three specific objectives that guided the study included; to establish the influence of democratic, autocratic and laissez faire leadership styles on commitment of academic staff in Kyambogo and Uganda Christian Universities. The study utilized Contingence theory of leadership to extensively discuss the research variable. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The population involved lecturers, heads of departments and deans. Data was collected using a Conventional Leadership Questionnaire and an interview guide. This data was analysed at Univariate level and study hypotheses were analysed using Pearson’s Correlation Co-efficient index and Multiple Linear Regression. Results revealed an insignificant relationship between democratic leadership style and commitment of academic staff. On the contrary, results revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between autocratic and laissez faire leadership styles on commitment of academic staff in the two universities. In order to increase commitment therefore, head of departments and deans in both universities should attempt to construct vigorous, energetic collective work conditions and increase their concern regarding loyalty of academic staff to the institution and their satisfaction. Furthermore, there must be a mechanisms put in place to ensure constant supervision, offer deadlines, warnings for non-compliance while keeping in mind the nature of work tasks, university culture, values and ethical perspectives, since all hinge on commitment.

Reference :