Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework

Ömer Öz; Gökhan Arastaman

doi:10.63612/ijesp.1888435

Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework

Abstract

This study qualitatively examines teachers’ motivations to pursue school principalship through the lens of Motivation to Lead (MTL) theory within the context of a centralized public education system. While prior MTL research has largely relied on quantitative designs, less is known about how its dimensions are narratively constructed and contextually activated in specific organizational environments. Adopting a theory-informed qualitative case study design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 teachers in Türkiye who formally declared their candidacy for principalship during the 2023–2024 EKYS cycle. Thematic analysis, employing a hybrid abductive approach, generated 127 initial codes consolidated into 13 sub-themes and three overarching themes. By providing an empirical audit trail and thick descriptions, the findings reveal that affective-identity motivation is forged through "crucible moments" of crisis management and social recognition; non-calculative motivation manifests as "sacrificial ethics" where leaders prioritize institutional integrity over personal status; and social-normative motivation is activated as an action-oriented "corrective duty" triggered by moral evaluations of administrative dysfunction. Rather than merely confirming MTL dimensions the study offers a qualitative elaboration of how these dimensions are narratively constructed and contextually interpreted within centralized governance structures. The findings highlight leadership motivation as a context-sensitive process shaped by professional identity, moral reasoning, and institutional arrangements. The study contributes to the global MTL literature by providing a qualitative elaboration of how leadership aspirations are constructed within structurally regulated systems, offering concrete implications for merit-based principal selection and ethical leadership preparation policies.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The ethics committee approval for this study was obtained from the Hacettepe University Senate Ethics Commission with the decision dated 17/10/2022 and numbered E-35853172-300-00002459730.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the participating teachers for generously sharing their time and experiences, and the colleagues who provided helpful feedback on the development of the interview protocol and analysis

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Education Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ömer Öz ^*
0000-0002-9371-8470
Türkiye

Gökhan Arastaman
0000-0002-4713-8643
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

March 26, 2026

Publication Date

March 26, 2026

Submission Date

February 13, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1888435

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA53HF29TT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Öz, Ö., & Arastaman, G. (2026). Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, 7(2), 147-169. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1888435

AMA

1.Öz Ö, Arastaman G. Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework. IJESP. 2026;7(2):147-169. doi:10.63612/ijesp.1888435

Chicago

Öz, Ömer, and Gökhan Arastaman. 2026. “Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy 7 (2): 147-69. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1888435.

EndNote

Öz Ö, Arastaman G (May 1, 2026) Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy 7 2 147–169.

IEEE

[1]Ö. Öz and G. Arastaman, “Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework”, IJESP, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 147–169, May 2026, doi: 10.63612/ijesp.1888435.

ISNAD

Öz, Ömer - Arastaman, Gökhan. “Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy 7/2 (May 1, 2026): 147-169. https://doi.org/10.63612/ijesp.1888435.

JAMA

1.Öz Ö, Arastaman G. Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework. IJESP. 2026;7:147–169.

MLA

Öz, Ömer, and Gökhan Arastaman. “Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework”. International Journal of Educational Studies and Policy, vol. 7, no. 2, May 2026, pp. 147-69, doi:10.63612/ijesp.1888435.

Vancouver

1.Ömer Öz, Gökhan Arastaman. Constructing Motivation to Lead in a Centralized Education System: A Qualitative Elaboration of the MTL Framework. IJESP. 2026 May 1;7(2):147-69. doi:10.63612/ijesp.1888435