The Relationship between Leadership Style and Risk Management Behaviors in Physical Education Department Heads and Directors of Islamic Azad Universities in Provinces of Iran

The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between leadership style and risk management behaviors in physical education department heads and directors of Islamic Azad universities in different provinces in Iran. The research used a descriptive correlation approach which was carried out by a field method. For this purpose, 72 department heads and directors of Islamic Azad universities from different provinces in Iran were selected as the statistical population and all were selected as the statistical samples using census method. Data were collected by two questionnaires of risk management and leadership styles. Their content and face validity were confirmed by experts and professionals and Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to determine the reliability for each questionnaire (α=0.84 for risk management questionnaire and α=0.78 for leadership styles questionnaire). Research findings showed a significant relationship between risk management behaviors and the record of managerial and coaching activities (P>0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between risk management behaviors and educational level of managers and coaching status (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference among risk management behaviors in different levels of leadership styles (P>0.05). However, there was no significant difference among risk management behaviors in different levels of employment status (P>0.05). Finally, a significant relationship was observed between the leadership styles and risk management behaviors (P>0.05). The findings indicated that the levels of risk management behaviors at physical education departments of Islamic Azad universities were not satisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to provide more training and more opportunities for heads of physical education departments of Islamic Azad universities to familiarize with risk management methods and to apply them in sports events and competitions.