CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PROFICIENCY AMONG TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ADMINISTRATORS: THE PREDICTIVE ROLES OF THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY FACTORS
1Kubiat M. Ineme, 2Mfon E. Ineme, 1Bolapeju M. Agboola 1Roseline J. Akpan
1Department of Curriculum Studies, Educational Management and Planning, University of Uyo
2Department of Psychology, University of Uyo, Uyo
Email: mfonineme@yahoo.com;
Abstract
The Nigerian school system has been ravaged by recurring conflicts. Efforts to solve or curb such conflict often prove abortive. This study investigated the roles of the Big-5 Personality Traits in conflict management proficiency among administrators of tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State. It was a survey, utilizing ex-post facto design. Multi-stage sampling method was used. A total of 299 administrators participated in the study. Results showed that personality factors (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) jointly predicted conflict management proficiency [R= .411, R²=.088, F(1,295) =3.751, p<.05], accounting for 88% of the variance observed. Openness to experience [ß=.223; t=3.54, p<.05], conscientiousness [ß=.341, t=4.11, p<.05], and neuroticism [ß=-.453, t=-6.11, p<.01] independently predicted conflict management proficiency among the administrators studied. However, extroversion [ß=.067, t=1.23, p>.05] and agreeableness [ß=.012, t=1.10, p>.05] were not independent predictors of conflict management. It is recommended that recruitment and deployment of administrators in tertiary institutions in Nigeria should take into consideration the personality traits of such employees vis-à-vis the conflict proneness of the area or department/units. Experts in personality assessment and educational management should be involved in the selection, employment, and deployment processes.