Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships and differences between desired management styles, morale, and selected biographical variables as perceived by three groups of employees--management, certificated non-management, and classified staff--within the three colleges in the Ventura College District. Procedure. Samples of personnel--management. certified non-management, and classified staff--were randomly selected from Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura Colleges were requested to complete Fiedler's Least Preferred Co-worker Scale, as a measure of leadership styles; his Group Atmosphere Scale, as a measure of morale; and selected biographical information. The results of these measures were submitted to statistical analysis to identify differences and relationships within and between the colleges. Findings. (1) No significant relationships were found between desired leadership style and morale. (2) Only two of the eighteen possible differences within and between desired management styles and morale were significant. (3) Significant relationships were found between desired leadership style and level of education, years in present position, age, and sex for at least one sample. (4) Significant relationships were found between morale and age, level of education, years in present position and sex for at least one sample. (5) Significant differences in desired leadership style and morale were found in the Oxnard and Ventura Colleges' classified staffs. (6) Only Oxnard College's certificated non-management and classified staffs showed a significant difference in desired leadership style and morale. Conclusions. (1) Little can be concluded about the influence or relationship of the desired leadership style and morale variables upon one another. (2) Desired leadership styles were substantially alike and relation-oriented. (3) Morale levels were substantially alike and fell in the upper quartile of possible scores. (4) No overall consistent pattern of significant relationships between selected biographical variable and desired leadership style or morale emerged. Recommendation. A comparison of the existing perceived leadership style and morale variables with the corresponding desired perceived variables could demonstrate the compatibility or incompatibility of these perceptions and could suggest needed environmental changes within an organization. However, in order to recommend changes in leadership style or factors affecting morale a future researcher would need to give careful consideration to the degree of anonymity permitted in the study.