THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR INFLUENCE ON INSTITUTIONAL AFFECTIVE COMMITMENT OF ONLINE ADJUNCTS

Pam DeLotell
Steven Cates
Kaplan University

ABSTRACT

Although research conducted on faculty commitment to their institutions has shown a significant relationship between institutional commitment and leadership style, these findings may not be applicable to online adjunct faculty. This study investigates the relationship between academic department chair leadership styles (transformational, transactional and laissez-faire leadership style) and the affective commitment of adjuncts faculty. Results indicated that there was a significant relationship between transformational leadership and affective commitment, but there was no significant relationship between affective commitment and transactional or laissez-faire leadership styles.

Keywords: Transformational, transactional, laissez-faire, leadership, affective commitment, adjunct faculty, institutions