Candidate: Stephen Mark Keizer

Degree of: Doctor of Education

Department: Teaching, Learning and Leadership

Title: A Study of the Effects of Goal Conflict on Job Satisfaction in Auxiliary Enterprise Units within Higher Education

Committee:
Dr. Gary L. Wegenke, Chair
Dr. Debra S. Berkey
Dr. Charles C. Warfield

Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
3208 Sangren Hall

Abstract:
The role of goal conflict on job satisfaction within auxiliary enterprise units at Western Michigan University was the focus of this study. Because of the continuing decline in state appropriations, state-funded colleges and universities are changing their operational model to become more fiscally responsible. This change in operational focus has lead to a shift in the balance between the goal of educating students and the goal of generating revenue. This shift creates goal conflict among many of the employees whose role it is to bolster the sagging operational budget. Because of this conflict in job goal, job satisfaction has dropped which ultimately leads to the ineffective delivery of the academic mission.

A survey was sent to all full-time employees within five auxiliary enterprise units. The questionnaire was designed to give the participants an opportunity to express their understanding of their units mission along with the level of their job satisfaction. Analysis of the data collected was completed to determine if there was a significant relationship between the two variables across the units. Additionally, interviews were conducted with a small sample of participants within each unit. The interviews were conducted to get a better understanding of any abnormalities detected in the survey data.

Through this study the researcher hopes to better understand the role that goal conflict plays on job satisfaction within auxiliary enterprise units. If University administrators are going to balance the budget on the backs of these units, they need to be aware of the ramifications that are created by this job change. In order for the change in operational focus to have the desired effect of generating more revenue without affecting the deliverable, university leaders must work hard to eliminate the goal conflict that can occur when the drive to make money interferes with the academic mission of the organization. Ultimately, this study is designed to enhance the awareness of the university administration by drawing a comparison between goal conflict and job satisfaction within the non-academic units at Western Michigan University.

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