Research Article

Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study

Volume: 12 Number: 1 June 25, 2026
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Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

This study examines academics’ and teachers’ metaphorical perceptions of administrators and their indifference toward administrators through a convergent mixed-methods design. The purpose is to interpret measured indifference toward administrators together with the symbolic meanings participants attach to current administrators and the climate shaped by them. This design was preferred because quantitative scores alone cannot fully show how administrator-related experiences are expressed through metaphors. Quantitative data were collected with the 10-item “indifference toward manager” subscale of the Organizational Indifference Scale; qualitative data were gathered through a four-prompt open-ended metaphor form. The study group consisted of 385 academics and public primary and middle school teachers. CFA supported the one-factor measurement model. Primary school teachers reported higher indifference than middle school teachers, whereas academics and teachers did not differ overall. Direct administrator metaphor tone did not significantly differentiate indifference scores. Findings suggest that indifference toward administrators is a psychological distancing process shaped by managerial context and institutional experience, not only by administrator images.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Social and Humanities Research Ethics Committee of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University (Decision Date: 05.03.2025, Decision Number: 04.40). For the data collection process within the scope of the research, necessary permissions were obtained from the Rectorate of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University (19.03.2025-552206) and through the MoNE Research Permissions System to conduct the study in public schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in two districts. All surveys were collected anonymously, and no personally identifying data were recorded.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Leadership, Organizasyon, Organisation and Management Theory, Organisational Behaviour

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 25, 2026

Submission Date

March 12, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

APA
Özer, H., Özer, T., & Çelik, B. (2026). Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.22466/acusbd.1907634
AMA
1.Özer H, Özer T, Çelik B. Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. ACU-Int J Soc Sci. 2026;12(1). doi:10.22466/acusbd.1907634
Chicago
Özer, Hüseyin, Tülay Özer, and Burcu Çelik. 2026. “Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study”. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 12 (1). https://doi.org/10.22466/acusbd.1907634.
EndNote
Özer H, Özer T, Çelik B (June 1, 2026) Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 12 1
IEEE
[1]H. Özer, T. Özer, and B. Çelik, “Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study”, ACU-Int J Soc Sci, vol. 12, no. 1, June 2026, doi: 10.22466/acusbd.1907634.
ISNAD
Özer, Hüseyin - Özer, Tülay - Çelik, Burcu. “Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study”. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi 12/1 (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.22466/acusbd.1907634.
JAMA
1.Özer H, Özer T, Çelik B. Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. ACU-Int J Soc Sci. 2026;12. doi:10.22466/acusbd.1907634.
MLA
Özer, Hüseyin, et al. “Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study”. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 1, June 2026, doi:10.22466/acusbd.1907634.
Vancouver
1.Hüseyin Özer, Tülay Özer, Burcu Çelik. Academics’ and Teachers’ Metaphorical Perceptions of Administrators and Indifference Toward Administrators: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. ACU-Int J Soc Sci. 2026 Jun. 1;12(1). doi:10.22466/acusbd.1907634

Artvin Coruh University International Journal of Social Sciences

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