The Relationship between Organizational Cynicism and Trust in Schools: A Research on Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this research is to study the relationship between organizational cynicism and organizational trust levels among teachers. The research is designed as a correlational survey study. The research data were collected using the Organizational Cynicism Scale for Teachers and the Scale of Trust Culture in Organizational Atmosphere. In the study there were 369 participants comprising teachers from primary, middle and high schools. Findings suggest that the teachers participating in the research have a low level of cynicism and feel a high level of trust in the school atmosphere. The MANOVA results have suggested that cynicism and trust levels among teachers do not vary based on their gender and their length of service at their current school. The research results have revealed a significant relationship between organizational cynicism and trust levels among teachers in all dimensions. The multiple linear regression analysis results have, as anticipated, suggested that organizational cynicism predicts organizational trust. These results suggest that organizational cynicism must be paid more attention in creating an organizational trust atmosphere that is believed to have significant impact on school effectiveness, teacher performance and student success.