Regardless of the direction I place a dropper or dispenser, it will almost always rotate to face south. I managed to get one to face north once, but never east or west or up or down. additionally, if I place a dropper/dispenser next to another dropper/dispenser, the new one will face away from the old. (I.E. if I place on the west side it will face west even if i am facing south). the new facing away from the old only applies to the sides of the block, not the top or bottom.
This happens with Stairs aswell, making it imposable to build with them.