INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACADEMIC HEADS OF DEPARTMENT IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN BAYELSA STATE

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the Innovative Technology and Administrative Effectiveness of Heads of Department in Public Universities in Bayelsa State. Three null hypotheses were utilized to guide the study. The population of the study consisted of 100 heads of department at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State Medical University, the University of Africa Touro-orua and Federal University Otuoke. The survey design was adopted for the study, while the purposive sampling technique was utilized. The sample size was made up of sixty Heads of department. A questionnaire titled ‘Innovative Technology and Administrative Effectiveness of Heads of Departments’ (ITAEHOD) was used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Statistics was used for the data analysis. The result obtained revealed that there is no significant relationship between the use of Smartphones and Electronic Mail (E-Mails) and HODs' administrative effectiveness in public universities in Bayelsa State. At the same time, a significant relationship existed between WhatsApp's innovative technology and HODs' administrative effectiveness in public universities in Bayelsa State. It was recommended that HODs acquire and develop appropriate innovative technology skills to be effective in the administration of their departments. Furthermore, only staff with requisite technology skills should be appointed as HODs in the university to promote effectiveness. Additionally, universities should provide information and communication technology gadgets for all HODs; accompanied by regular and affordable power supply, (preferably solar power generation), and imbibe periodic and regular maintenance culture of ICT facilities in universities.