The Social Sciences

Year: 2018
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
Page No. 969 - 981

Empowering Jordanian Women as Leaders in Higher Education: The Case of the Hashemite University

Authors : Kamal E. Bani-Hani, Jehad Alaedein and Rasha M.S. Istaiteyeh

Abstract: In higher education, women have made great gains and are now earning more degrees than men. But women still trail in top academic leadership. The aim of this study was to shed light on empowering Jordanian women as leaders at the Hashemite University (HU) in Zarqa, Jordan by exploring the relationship and the impact of the leadership on perceptions of Barriers to Woman’s Empowerment (BWES), Psychological Empowerment (PEM) and Administrative Creativity (AC). The present study was based on small convenience sample and on usage data collected through survey self-reports. The study sample consisted of 51 academic women faculty staff members, 26 of whom obtain currently or previously leadership positions and 25 who had never taken a position before and all these present (46.8%) of the original study population (No = 106) which includes all PhD female academies and candidates for holding a leadership position at the (HU). The study results revealed the existence of a statistically significant negative relation between the perceptions of (BWES), Psychological Empowerment (PEM) and Administrative Creativity (AC) and a statistically significant positive relationship between (PEM) and creativity (AC). It was also found that the Barriers to Woman’s Empowerment was the best predictor of the (PEM) levels among women leaders and that 55% of the variance in PEM was due to unique contribution of this variable. There were also statistically significant differences between the two study groups on (BWES), (PEM) and (AC), measures in favor of those who held leadership positions at the university either currently or previously. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the HU Model of woman empowerment had an impact and value among those women who benefit from taking leadership positions by eliminating their perceptions of explicit gender bias and barriers stand in the face of women in higher education and through improving and enhancing their sense of psychological empowerment and ability to be innovative. Practical implications and recommendations for future research are presented and discussed.

How to cite this article:

Kamal E. Bani-Hani, Jehad Alaedein and Rasha M.S. Istaiteyeh, 2018. Empowering Jordanian Women as Leaders in Higher Education: The Case of the Hashemite University. The Social Sciences, 13: 969-981.

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