How distributed leadership can make a difference in teachers' organizational commitment? A qualitative study

• Published in: Teaching and teacher education Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 565 - 575
• Main Authors: Hulpia, Hester, Devos, Geert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Administrator Attitudes; Comparative Analysis; Cooperation; Distributed leadership; Educational Practices; Influences; Instructional Leadership; Interviews; Leaders; Leadership; Organizational commitment; Organizational Development; Participative Decision Making; Qualitative Research; Secondary Schools; Structured Interviews; Teacher Attitudes; Teachers; Transformational Leadership; Qualitative research; Organizational commitment; Distributed leadership
• ISSN: 0742-051X; 1879-2480
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2009.08.006

The present study explores the relation between distributed leadership and teachers' organizational commitment. Semi-structured interviews with teachers and school leaders of secondary schools were conducted. A comparative analysis of four schools with high and four schools with low committed teachers was carried out. Findings revealed differences in the leadership practices which influenced organizational commitment. The leadership practices include the quality and distribution of leadership functions, social interaction, cooperation of the leadership team, and participative decision-making. Teachers reported being more strongly committed to the school if the leaders were highly accessible, tackled problems efficiently or empowered teachers to participate, and frequently monitored teachers' daily practices.