The Effect of School Principals' Leadership Styles on Teachers' Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction.

Abstract

AbstractResearchers have conducted a number of studies in order to demonstrate the effects of leadership styles on school outcomes. In these research studies, particularly, the full range of leadership styles have been used. The impact of transformational leadership, transactional leadership and laissez faire stated in this model on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of teachers were analysed. In this research study, it is aimed to determine the effect of leadership styles of school administrators on the job satisfaction and organizational commitment of teachers using the method of meta-analysis. Twelve research findings made in Turkey were analyzed using the method of meta-analysis. The research results showed that particularly, transformational leadership style affected job satisfaction and organizational commitment of teachers in a positive way. It was concluded that as the leadership style of administrators changes from transactional to transformational, the level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment of teachers' rose.Key WordsMeta-Analysis, Leadership Styles, Transformational Leadership, Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment.Considered as a system of social change and transformation, requirements of organizations is inevitable. It has been suggested that the leadership which will allow the change of organizations is the transformational leadership built on an idealistic, innovative and learning facilitating concept (Celik, 2003, p. 147).Transformational leadershipThe approach conceptualized by Burns (1978) as transformational leadership aroused great interest of researchers and practitioners (Bass & Riggio, 2006, p. 3). For Burns, an effective leader should be capable of creating societal changes in expressing and defines the transformational leader as a person who takes care of his followers, mobilizes their forces to meet the needs and potential (Burns, 2003, p. 230). The full range model of leadership developed by Bass in later years states that the transformational leadership consists of four components including, idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration (Northouse, 2007). (i) Idealized Influence: It represents the strong vision and mission determination or transformational leader. Such a leader is a role model for the followers and his behaviors are ideal ized by them (ii) Inspirational motivation: Transformational leaders identify high goals, create a team spirit, enthusiasm and constantly motivate his followers. Transformational leaders produce original ideas and encourage entrepreneurship as well as starting change in the organization (iii) Intellectual stimulation: Transformational leaders motivate their followers to be innovative, analytic and creative. These leaders always encourage their followers on the issues of the discovery of new ideas and the production of creative solutions to problems. (iv) Individualized consideration: Transformational leaders, acting as a team coach, take into consideration the desires and needs of the followers, help them to be successful and thrive. In this context, the leader has a special interest of each follower, taking into account individual differences (Bass & Riggio; Lunenburg, 2003; Stewart, 2006, p. 12).Transformational leadership is thought as a critical approach in terms of organizational innovation in education. Transformational leader supports teachers' intellectual development and also infuses excitement and enthusiasm of transformation (Celik, 2003). Transformational leaders can create a positive organizational climate, reach goals more easily, and increase the levels of job satisfaction and organizational commitment of stakeholders as a result of motivating followers and paying close attention to them (Deluga & Souza, 1991; Leithwood & Jantzi, 1999; Rowold & Scholtz, 2009).Transactional leaders identify primarily tasks of the followers, establish the structure, emphasis on planned and scheduled work. …