Perceptions of organizational climate among non-instructional support staff.

This study sought to determine whether personal characteristics, work environment, and work characteristics affect perceptions of organizational climate among non-instructional support staff. The sample consisted of 859 staff employed in the Business Operations unit of a Research I university. Data were collected via a web-based survey administered in February, 2005. The survey consisted of 119 questions divided into 36 topical sections. Factor analysis using principle axis factoring resulted in 25 usable indices (variables) representing three categories of organizational climate: Aspects of climate pertaining directly to the employees (15 variables); aspects of climate pertaining to leadership or management practices within the employee's department or unit (4 variables); and aspects of climate pertaining to intra-departmental communication and workplace dynamics (6 variables). Bivariate analyses revealed significant differences in perceptions of climate based upon age, gender, minority status, job classification, and sub-unit of employment. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that each of job classification, age, gender, sub-unit of employment, minority status, and years of employment significantly influenced at least one climate variable, with job classification affecting the greatest number of variables. However, the specific climate variables affected differed between the groups. Results indicate that personal characteristics, work environment, and work characteristics do affect perceptions of some aspects of organizational climate within this research setting. However, the magnitude of the impact is dependent upon the aspect of climate in question.PhDEducationEducational administrationHigher educationUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/126531/2/3253376.pd