ERIC Number: ED551061
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 246
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-2677-1601-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Nonprofit Governance: Exploring Leadership Practices and Demographics of Local Education Foundation Boards
Berry, Marva L.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Indiana Wesleyan University
Expectations for nonprofit organizations (NPOs) continue to increase. Additionally, it is difficult to successfully carry out the mission of organizations while dealing with decreased funding and reduced staffing. NPOs need to be operationally consistent and precise to achieve pre-defined measures of success. Many factors impact operations/effectiveness including board composition, skills of the CEO/Board of directors (BoDs), and board leadership practices. This descriptive study sought first to determine demographics of Indiana local education foundation (LEF) boards, in order to set a baseline of data to be available for reference in future research. The research also explored BoD leadership practices to determine the relationship between leadership practices by gender, as well as BoD position (i.e., president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, executive director). A goal of this research was to contribute specifically to the field of LEFs, extending knowledge in the academic discipline of organizational leadership. This study endeavored to provide greater awareness to boards on the practices that can add value to their service experiences and organizational achievements. The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI): Self instrument was used to collect data. The LEF population consists of nearly 6,000 nationwide; approximately 63 are located in Indiana. The sample of participants was BoDs from 29 of the 63 Indiana LEFs. Data reduction/coding were conducted through IBM software, application Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics to identify characteristics of those who serve on LEF boards. The 13 demographic items focused upon BoD gender, age, race, professional background, education, and board experience. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were conducted to determine normality of data. Parametric (i.e., independent-samples t tests) statistics were utilized for data found to be normally distributed. Nonparametric (i.e., Mann-Whitney tests) statistics were utilized for data found not to be normally distributed. The research utilized a 95% confidence interval; statistical significance was indicated at p < 0.05 (2-tailed). The results revealed no significant differences in leadership practices by gender (p = 0.363, a value > 0.05; as well as no significant differences in leadership practices by board position (p = 0.166, a value > 0.05). [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Governance, Nonprofit Organizations, Demography, Gender Differences, Administrative Organization, Measures (Individuals), Leadership
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Leadership Practices Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A