Exploring the alignment between university faculty and senior administration work values.

Tamara Leary was granted funding from a SSHRC grant to explore the work values of university faculty and senior administration and understand the division in values between university stakeholders.

The “divide” between university faculty and its senior administration team is more accepted than it is questioned. Informed by person environment fit theory’s position that a person’s outcomes are most optimal when their attributes (e.g., needs, values) and environmental attributes (e.g., supplies, values) are compatible (van Vianen1, 2018), this study identifies the degree to which the work values of faculty and senior administrators are aligned. By providing evidence of value (mis) alignment researchers are poised to further explore and understand its impact on stakeholder relationships, work productivity and job satisfaction. Findings will inform strategies to reach and sustain alignment between faculty and senior administrators’ work values for the betterment of stakeholder relationships, productivity and work environment.