Relationships among leadership styles, conditions of service, human capital development and job performance in university libraries in North-Central, Nigeria - Hypothetical approach

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship among leadership styles, conditions of service, human capital development and job performance among personnel in ICT units of 13 public university libraries in North- Central Nigeria. The study was guided by three null hypotheses respectively. Descriptive surveys design was used and the target population consisted of 85 personnel working in ICT units of the 13 public university libraries in North-Central Nigeria. Complete enumeration of 85 personnel was carried out. Structured questionnaire was used in data collection while inferential statistical tool (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) was used to test three null hypotheses respectively. Instruments were validated and pilot-tested using 10 and 20 copies of checklist and modified version of questionnaire through test-retest method and reliability coefficient of 0.87 was obtained. However, 13 copies of checklist and 85 copies of questionnaires were administered on heads of ICT units and personnel in ICT Units respectively. Out of 85 copies of questionnaire administered 65 were completed and returned in usable form for the analysis. Results showed significant relationship among leadership styles (r=0.13, P<0.05), human capital development (r=0.08, P<0.05) were rejected and conditions of service (r=-024, P>0.05) was retained. The study concluded that job performance can only be possible through quality personnel management, effective conditions of service and robust training and development programmes. The study recommended among others that the management of public universities in North-Central Nigeria should adopt styles of leadership that are democratic, transformational and transactional that will enable personnel perform their assigned duties to expectation without reservations.