Factors Influencing Employees’ Chances for Advancing in their Career Ladder to Occupy Leading Positions in the Jordanian Government from the Employees’ Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates major factors influencing employees’ prospects for

holding leadership positions in Jordanian government in central ministries in

Amman. Opinions of 500 employees from ten central ministries were surveyed

via a questionnaire which was developed by the author. Seven hypotheses

were developed and tested. Statistical techniques such as mean averages,

percentages, Standard Deviation, One Way ANOVA, (T) test were utilized.

Findings indicated that factors related to graduation from American and

western universities, security considerations, mediation and particularistic

patterns, paying lip service to superiors, familial and kinship representation

and economic and financial status, constituted the most influential five factors

effecting employees’ prospects to hold leadership positions. The first four

factors have high level of influence, whereas a medium level of influence is

by the remaining six factors. Merit and competence occupied the sixth rank

in terms of influence followed by political background, and association

and seniority, in seventh and eighth ranks respectively. Partial variations

in respondents assessments according to job title were manifested, while no

adequate support has been provided via the findings to hypotheses pertaining

to the impact of gender, administrative rank, educational level, seniority and

age. Implications for administrative and political reforms and development

were explicated