Organisational culture in higher education The case of Our Lady of Apostle (Ola) College of Education

Abstract

The study investigated organisational culture (OC) in higher education at OLA College of Education in the Central Region, Ghana. The study employed sequential explanatory mixed methods design. A sample of 392 (342 students and 50 staff) was selected using purposive, simple random and convenience sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. The qualitative data were analysed in themes. The study found that students and staff had positive perceptions towards the prevailing OC. Further, the environment, leadership, management practices, formal socialisation process and informal socialisation process were key factors that influenced the OC at OLA. It was concluded that among other types of culture, bureaucratic was seen to have been used the more. Moreover, students and staff had optimistic perceptions towards the prevailing type of OC. Also, OC was without the influence of some factors. Again, OC contributed to the organisational effectives (OE). It was recommended that in selecting and appointing management personnel at OLA College of Education, in service training should be run for them on the need to use more of bureaucratic culture. Also, management should run workshop for students and staff had on the need to embrace the prevailing types of OC. Again, management at OLA College of Education should take keen interest in the factors affecting the OC of the institution. Furthermore, in selecting or appointing management personnel at OLA College of Education, they are to be oriented through in-service training on how OC can contribute to the OE.