The relationship of leadership patterns to usage patterns and suitability of information technology for decision-making of nursing and non-nursing academic administrators in higher education

This dissertation describes the relationship of leadership patterns to computer usage patterns and the suitability of information technology for decision making among academic administrators in higher education in the Nursing departments and Arts and Science Departments of universities in the United States and its provinces. The author conducted a literature search in nursing and in the related disciplines of psychology, management, education and sociology. The premise of natural matches between leadership patterns and information technology computer usage patterns in existence should demonstrate satisfaction with the suitability of hardware and software available to administrators for decision making responsibilities. Questionnaires were sent to 637 universities in the United States and provinces where a nursing department was an established program. Important demographic information revealed in the literature review included gender, age, level of education, length of time in administrative position, length of time using computer technology, size of institution based on enrollment, department size, and geographic location. Of all the demographic characteristics, analysis revealed there was no significant relationship between age and level of education. In conclusion, the study revealed that natural matches between leadership style and computer usage patterns did not exist for this group. However, the majority of this group were dissatisfied with the hardware and software available to them. The author proposes that since there was not a natural match, the dissatisfaction was to be expected. If a natural match existed, satisfaction would be demonstrated as would improved efficiency and timeliness of communication. Future research is suggested to promote continued research in this area.