The effect of change leader's competencies & behaviours on their own performance: the case of Islamic Azad University managers (zone 8)

The present survey research was performed to determine different dimensions of change leaders’ competencies & behaviors as well as to scale the degree of the effect they have on their own performance. Statistical population for the study included all 395 managers and directors (chancellor, vices, deans, and heads of departments) of Islamic Azad University located in zone 8. Sample population was calculated 276 persons by use of Morgan Table through classified random sampling. The instrument to collect data was a self-designed questionnaire, including 42 items. Data collected were analyzed by use of measures such as mean, factor analysis and ANOVA. The findings show that characteristics of change leaders could be classified into three main areas as follows: features, competencies, and behaviors. The study also shows that university change leader's competencies and behaviors have little effect on their own performance, although a high degree of effect was presumed by the leaders. Yet they believe that a training of such skills as problem diagnosing, problem solving and universal orientation could greatly affect their behavior and therefore, would facilitate change implementation.