Impact of Academic Leaders in Enhancing Faculty Morale: A Comprehensive Analysis at the University of Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Based on the importance of faculty morale and its impact on various variables such as performance index, job satisfaction, and the teaching and learning environment, this study aimed to investigate the influence of academic leadership in enhancing the morale of faculty members at the University of Hafr Al-Batin in Saudi Arabia from their own perspective. The study also aimed to identify the obstacles hindering morale improvement and determine the most effective ways to enhance it. Additionally, the study examined the impact of two variables, namely academic rank, and gender, on the sample's responses. The descriptive-analytical method was used, employing a questionnaire composed of 39 items distributed across three dimensions: the impact of academic leaders in enhancing morale, obstacles to enhancing morale, and ways to enhance morale. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of 272 faculty members at the university. The study concluded that the influence of academic leaders in enhancing faculty members' morale was moderate, while the obstacles to enhancing morale were perceived as high. The sample also agreed on the ways to enhance morale with a high. The study did not reveal statistically significant differences in the areas of study based on the variables of academic rank and gender. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on effective leadership practices in academia, suggesting avenues for further investigation and improvement in higher education institutions.