Empirical study on triggering factors promoting faculties’ of higher education institutions sense of belongingness towards their university

Abstract

Various triggering factors used to toll faculties’ sense of belongingness towards their university were mentioned by previous scholars. And this study was aimed at locating the most vital factors enhancing faculties’ sense of institutional belongingness towards their institutions with particular reference to Wollo and Debre Berhan Universities of Ethiopia. A total of 216 respondents were selected using the stratified probability sampling technique from each college found in the university. The researcher developed a closed-ended questionnaire measuring driving forces and adapted a sense of institutional belongingness questionnaire to measure faculties’ sense of belongingness towards their universities. Finally, the responses of the respondents’ were analyzed using SPSS (version 20.0). The findings of the study revealed that all factors were significantly related to faculties’ sense of institutional belongingness but only four out of six triggering factors significantly predicted academicians’ sense of institutional belongingness, i.e. professional growth and development opportunity, management and leadership style, remuneration, and benefits package, and delegation or empowerment hierarchically. But working conditions and participation in policymaking and revision were found to be insignificant predictors. And also it has been proved that organizational climate has a significant role in determining academicians sense of institutional belongingness (R2=.261) which is significant at p=.001. So, the institution’s leaders should improve the level of faculties’ sense of belongingness and retain them through facilitating those triggering forces along with the rest dimensions and enhance academicians’ affection towards their institution.