Organisational Behaviour and Leadership: A Case Study of the Technological University of Acapulco

Abstract

This study examines both the organisational climate and leadership practices of the Technological University of Acapulco (UTA) in Mexico, using a quantitative descriptive approach. In total, 29 administrative staff, of a total population of 107, answered two validated instruments: The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) and the Organisational Climate Survey. The data compiled from the respondents revealed significant areas for improvement, particularly in internal communication, recognition, motivation, and professional development, given the low levels observed. The respondents also reported insufficient resources, limited recognition, and a lack of alignment between individual and institutional goals, which negatively affect intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. The evaluations for leadership perceived that transformational leadership and transactional leadership were weak, while showing tendencies of passive or laissez-faire leadership, producing confusion and leading to a poor cohesiveness of teams. The findings also indicate that, despite feeling overwhelmed, staff members exhibit an overall moderate level of job satisfaction. Overall, these findings establish arguments for developing strategies related to strengthening leadership and enhancing internal communication, and also calls for improvement in relation to creating a more positive and productive organisational climate. The implications of this research include presenting practical recommendations to the organisation to aid institutional change and providing important insights into the use of leadership and organisational behaviour in the context of higher education in Latin America.