Factors of Growth-oriented Atmosphere: A Case Study in a Finnish Polytechnic Institution of Higher Education

Author(s):

Petri NokelainenPekka Ruohotie

Conference:

ECER 2009

Network:

2. Vocational Education and Training (VETNET)

Format:

Paper

Session Information

02 SES 11 C, Influence on learning for different kind of learners: from “world of work”; to organisations up to electronic environment

Paper Session

Time:

2009-09-30

16:45-18:15

Room:

HG, HS 26

Chair:

M'Hamed Dif

Contribution

This paper has two major goals. First, to present a theoretical model of growth-oriented atmosphere and second, to demonstrate its practical use as a measurement instrument of growth prerequisites with different employee groups of a Finnish polytechnic institution of higher education. Growth prerequisites are examined on the basis of a fourteen dimensional theoretical model of growth-oriented atmosphere developed by Ruohotie and Nokelainen (2000) on the basis of large existing research body (described in detail in the full paper, see references). Methodological goal of the study is to contribute to an understanding of organizational growth and learning as a non-linear process. The statistical non-linear modeling approach is novel providing research an practical example of how to use these techniques in practice. We have formulated the following four research questions: * First, is the thirteen-factor model of the growth-oriented atmosphere relevant to describe growth prerequisites of Finnish polytechnic institution of higher education employees? * Second, is the theoretical four-group classification of the growth-oriented atmosphere factors present in the sample? * Third, to what extent employees’ position is connected to growth motivation and commitment to the organization? * Fourth, is employee's nature of contract connected to growth motivation and commitment to the organization?

Method

This study was designed to examine employee perceptions of how their managers create conditions that support professional growth and learning, and how the employees perceive their growth motivation and commitment to the organization. Data were gathered from 447 employees with the Growth-oriented Atmosphere Questionnaire in a Finnish polytechnic institution of higher education. The average age of respondents’ in the sample was 39 years (SD = 9.1, range 22 - 62). Respondents’ job profiles were as follows (with 6%, n = 27 missing data): Teachers (48%, n = 215), managers (7%, n = 30) and other personnel (39%, n = 175). The Growth-oriented Atmosphere Questionnaire (GOAQ) used in this study was a modified version of the one developed during the Growth Needs project (Ruohotie, 1996). The theoretical basis for the structure of the instrument elicited from the works of Argyris (1972; 1992), Dubin (1977; 1990), Hall (1986; 1990), and Kaufman (1974; 1990).

Expected Outcomes

Results showed that the theoretical four group classification of the growth-oriented atmosphere factors was supported by the empirical evidence. Results further showed that managers and teachers had higher growth motivation and level of commitment to work than other personnel including job titles such as cleaner, caretaker, accountant and computer support. Employees across all job titles in the organization, who have temporary or part-time contracts, had higher self-reported growth motivation and commitment to work and organization than their established colleagues. Leaders in various organizations may benefit from learning what is the current professional growth status of diverse employee groups, and in understanding the potential differences in employee growth motivation.

References

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Author Information

Petri Nokelainen

University of Tampere

Department of Education

Tuulos

Pekka Ruohotie

University of Tampere, Finland

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