Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2001

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

Abstract

The purpose of this study was lo dclcnnine if 1hcrc is a correlation between the atlribute of humorous and effective leadership as perceived by subordinates and supervisors and whether it differs by gender. Eleven attributes, including humorous, were identified by a review of the titerature as being those most often associated with effective leaders. Department of Management chai1versons within American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business accredited schools within the United Stales were selected as subjects of the study. Both faculty members reporting to these individuals and the deans of the schools who oversee their work were surveyed. These people were asked to rank the eleven attributes from one to eleven in order of their importance. They were then asked to rate the chairperson on each attribute as well as her/his effectiveness as a leader. The respondents identified the gender of the chairperson as well as that of themselves. Fifty-three deans and 160 faculty members responded to the survey instrument Through statistical analysis a correlation between the attribute of humorous and effectiveness was found in the faculty members. The group of deans did not show a co1Telation. This seems to bear out a common belief that supervisors do not appreciate the use of humor as much as the subordinates.

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