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Assessing Organizational Values Within The Ohio State University Extension System

Argabright, Karen Jane
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338339287

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Agricultural and Extension Education.
The purpose of this study was to identify the current Ohio State University (OSU) Extension organizational values and the evidence of those values within daily practice as perceived by OSU Extension personnel. Congruence between identified values and their evidence in practice was also explored. Descriptive survey research was used with a census of OSU Extension personnel. An online questionnaire was modified from an existing questionnaire used in previous OSU Extension organizational values studies. The questionnaire measured the degree of perceptions of value and evidence of 62 work-related concepts using a four-point Likert-Type scale (Valued scale: 1=not valued to 4=extremely valued; Evidence scale: 1=not evident to 4=extremely evident). The questionnaire was reviewed by a panel of experts to establish face and content validity. Instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis included a combination of exploratory factor analysis and descriptive statistics. Constructs identified using exploratory factory analysis were: Program Planning and Implementation, Value and Relevance of the Organization, Diversity, and Employment Conditions. Each of these constructs were either valued or extremely valued by OSU Extension personnel based on the overall means. The Diversity construct was the least valued of the four and had the highest standard deviation. In relation to evidence of the established constructs in practice, the overall means of the constructs were between somewhat evident and evident, all with larger standard deviations. In Program Planning and Implementation, a lack of congruence between evidence and values was seen in individual items related to local needs, innovation, creativity, and flexibility in programming. Items representing Extension’s historical mission were found to have greater congruence between value and evidence. Value and Relevance of the Organization showed relative congruence across each of the items. Items reflecting OSU Extension’s relationship with The Ohio State University showed less congruence within this construct. Diversity was the lowest valued construct by personnel as well as perceived the least evident. Overall there was general congruence for diversity. The highest valued construct was Employment Conditions. Each item within this construct was rated as valued or extremely valued by a minimum of 90% of personnel. Conversely, the majority of the items were rated as less evident by personnel. This study extended previous research on organizational values in the Cooperative Extension system and specifically in OSU Extension in several ways. First, perceptions were gathered from a larger group of employees representing all job groups in the organization. Secondly, exploratory factor analysis provided a smaller set of values that better represents the different aspects of an organization’s culture. Recommendations include use of research by leaders in OSU Extension to examine efforts toward alignment between values and practice and further research to operationalize what the values look like in practice for an organization.
Jeff King, PhD (Advisor)
Graham R. Cochran, PhD (Advisor)
136 p.
Agricultural Education
Extension; organizational values

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Argabright, K. J. (2012). Assessing Organizational Values Within The Ohio State University Extension System [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338339287

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Argabright, Karen. Assessing Organizational Values Within The Ohio State University Extension System. 2012. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338339287.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Argabright, Karen. "Assessing Organizational Values Within The Ohio State University Extension System." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1338339287

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1338339287
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.