English abstract
The study aimed at identifying the most important structural dimensions of organization and their role in decision making process in the administrative work.
This objective generated secondary objectives such as knowing the essential characteristics of organization within an administrative unit, presenting the role played by the clarity of objectives and the determination of tasks in decision making, identifying the role of communications and information network and training programs in decision making process. In addition, the study aimed to identify the constraints of the decision making process in the administrative work and the mechanisms for addressing such constraints.
This study used the descriptive approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The study sample was selected from the Student Affairs Deanship staff members representing various administrative levels related to the decision making process. They were 44 respondents who were chosen bearing in mind several variables such as gender, academic level and vocational level. The field study used questionnaires, interviews, and observation to collect data.
The study findings according to their respective themes were the following: in the first theme "clarity of objectives of the administrative work" the study indicated that approximately one third of the sample was well aware of the Students Affairs Deanship objectives. Other findings included that the clarity of objectives among the sample increased whenever the employee's field of interest was approached. There was an agreement among the sample on the importance of the role played by the clarity of objectives in decision making within the administrative work.
In the second theme, "assignment of tasks and duties, and decision making in the administrative work", the study revealed a trend among the sample that some tasks did not correspond to the employee's capabilities. This was because of some organizational factors such as the lack of training and the policy of assigning duties. The sample confirmed that there was a need to regulate the process of assigning tasks and duties according to clear criteria. In addition, the sample emphasized the need to consider the employee personal characteristics when assigning tasks due to the nature of work in the Student Affairs Deanship.
In the third theme "communications and information network in the administrative work;" a group of the sample preferred the direct (face to face) communication rather than the electronic communication because of the nature of work in the Deanship and to the fact that the electronic communication system was still new to them. The sample thought that the distances among different departments in the Deanship hindered a proper communication and affected efficiency of the administrative work and thus the decision making process. The sample also stressed on the importance of communications and information networks and their role in facilitating the administrative work.
In the fourth theme "training and its role in decision making in the administrative work" the results indicated that the employees had much more opportunities for training programs in-service compared to that pre-service. The sample emphasized the importance of the specialized training and the role it plays in promoting skills that enhance capability of the employee and help in judicious decision making.
In the fifth theme "constraints to the decision making in the administrative work and mechanisms to address them" the findings showed a general agreement among the sample indicating the following constrains: the absence of a flexible team; weak motivation and realization of the value of work among the employees; lack of job description, and centralization of work. The sample agreed unanimously that the most significant mechanisms to address such constraints should be knowing the objectives of work and having an integrated team.
The study concluded with some recommendations and action plans to facilitate the process of decision making in the administrative work, especially in the Students Affairs Deanship.
