INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL POWER ON RESOURCE ALLOCATION IN NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

This study assessed how organizational power influence resource allocation in Nigerian universities. Three research questions were answered and one null hypothesis was tested. The study utilized a descriptive survey design. The population for the study was 750 and a sample of 311 using stratified random sampling. A test–re-test method was used in establishing the reliability of the instrument. The instrument was administered to thirty respondents in the population who were not part of the sample. It was re-administered after two weeks on the same respondents. The two scores were analyzed using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation coefficient (r) formula to determine the reliability of the instrument and a coefficient of 0.75 was obtained. Mean and Standard Deviation (SD) were used to answer research questions while the hypothesis was tested using a z-test. Findings show that Deanship elections/appointments have the highest organizational power base at both universities while Staff Promotion has the least. Findings further revealed that both staff, Deans and HODs of federal and state universities use organizational power strategies for critical university resources. The test of hypothesis shows that state universities use more organizational power strategies than federal universities. The staff of state universities use more sweet words, create goodwill, and act friendly towards those in positions to grant their requests and get their share of the universities' resources more than their federal counterparts. Based on the findings, it is strongly recommended that transparency and accountability should guide decisions on resource allocation in Nigerian universities.