ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL RELATED SCHOOL FACTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS IN STATE UNIVERSITIES IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The study examined the influence of economic and political related school factors in the management of academic departments in state universities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Three research questions were posed with corresponding null hypotheses.  Ex-post facto research design was adopted in the study. The population of the study comprised 57 heads of academic departments in the two state owned Universities in the state. The entire population was sampled purposively to collect data. An instrument titled "Economic and Political Related School Factors Management of Academic Departments Questionnaire (EPRSFMADQ) was used to collect data. The instrument was validated by two experts in measurement and evaluation, and educational management. Cronbach's Alpha was used to determined the reliability coffient of the instrument. Simple linear regression was used to analyzed the data. Results revealed that internal funding, recruitment policy and admission regulation have significant influence in the management of academic departments. Therefore, it was recommended among others that school managers should adequately fund academic departments to enhance effective and efficient management for sustainable national development.