The role of principals' values and leadership styles in developing organisational commitment among Arab teachers in Israel

Abstract

In this study, the relationship between: 1) values of the principals; 2) transformational leadership; 3) dimensions of organisational commitment (OC) was examined in a sample of 1,268 teachers and 64 principals employed in Arab schools in Israel. Through questionnaires, the principals reported their values, and the teachers reported their leadership style and OC. Specifically, the authors posited that the principals' values are transmitted to the teachers and thereby affect their OC. The results of hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) showed that the principals' values, particularly those of tradition and benevolence, were related to two forms of commitment, affective and normative. The dimension of continuance commitment was uninterpretable in the current sample. Contrary to expectations, the principals' positive evaluation of teacher achievement affected both forms of the teachers' commitment. The findings also showed a strong positive relationship between transformational leadership and the two forms of commitment. However, this strong relationship did not eliminate the effect of the principals' values on teacher achievement. The authors conclude the paper by suggesting several directions for future research on the relationship between values and commitment.