Information Seeking Pattern as Predictor of Managerial Effectiveness of Academic Heads of Departments in Public Universities in South-Western Nigeria

Abstract

At the departmental levels in the universities are academic HODs appointed among the lecturers to direct and coordinate the activities of their departments with a view to ensuring good quality education through their effectiveness. Managerial effectiveness is the academic heads of departments’ ability to achieve desired results and goals of the departments and universities. This study investigated the influence of information seeking pattern on managerial effectiveness of academic heads academic HODs in public universities in South West, Nigeria. Survey research design which included the collection of primary data from the respondents was adopted for the study. The study population comprised 770 academic HODs in public universities of South-West Nigeria. Yaro Yamani table of sample size determinant was used to draw sample size of 258 from the population. A structured and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient for the constructs ranged from 0.73 to 0.84. A response rate of 96% was achieved. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential (simple and multiple regression) statistics. Information seeking pattern has significant influence on managerial effectiveness of academic heads of departments in public universities in South West, Nigeria (R2 = 212, β=.460, t (246) = 8.112, p<.05). The study concluded that information seeking pattern is a catalyst to managerial effectiveness of academic HODs in public universities in South West, Nigeria. The study recommends that academic HODs should improve on the level of their managerial effectiveness. The university management in public universities in South West of Nigeria should also strive to reduce some of the identified challenges inhibiting the effectiveness of academic.