AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

This study empirically assessed the relationship between leadership integrity and organizational performance in tertiary educational institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A correlational research design was employed, guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. The study population comprised academic and administrative staff across selected tertiary institutions, with a sample of 308 respondents drawn using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled "Leadership Integrity and Organizational Performance Questionnaire (LIOPQ)," which was validated by experts in educational leadership and tested for reliability, yielding a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.87. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed a moderate to strong positive relationship between transparency in leadership and organizational performance (r = 0.61, p < 0.05), and a significant positive relationship between accountability in leadership and organizational performance (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). The study concluded that leadership integrity, characterized by transparency and accountability, significantly enhances institutional effectiveness, trust, and performance outcomes in tertiary education. It was recommended that educational institutions implement integrity-based leadership practices supported by accountability frameworks and transparent governance structures to improve organizational performance.