Organizational Climate in Higher Education: A Comparative Study of Academic and Administrative Staff Perceptions.

Abstract

The present study explores differences in organizational climate perceptions between academic and administrative staff in private higher educational institutions in Nagpur City. A descriptive and analytical quantitative research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 78 respondents representing 12 institutions using a structured questionnaire. Normality testing confirmed non-normal data distribution, leading to the application of the Mann–Whitney U test for comparative analysis. The findings indicate statistically significant differences across major organizational climate dimensions, with academic staff reporting more favorable perceptions related to leadership support, communication, and professional autonomy. In contrast, administrative staff expressed relatively lower satisfaction due to limited participation and recognition. The study concludes that inclusive leadership practices, participative decision-making, and balanced recognition systems are crucial for fostering a supportive organizational climate and enhancing employee engagement in private higher education institutions.