Influence of School Principals’ Ethical Leadership on Teachers’ Organizational Commitment

Year 2026, Volume: 11 Issue: 1 , 237 - 288 , 30.03.2026

Mitiku Kajisho Banata , Ashebir Bezabih Estifanos , Abraham Tulu Mekonnen

https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1617328

https://izlik.org/JA98CG92TX

Abstract

Although school ethical leadership plays a crucial role in individual and organizational behaviors, the impact of school principals’ ethical leadership on teachers’ organizational commitment has not received as much research attention. The main purpose of this study was to examine the influence of school principals’ ethical leadership on teachers’ organizational commitment in government secondary schools in Sidama National Regional State, Ethiopia. To achieve this purpose, a correlational study design was employed. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to draw representative samples from the target population. Through this process, one zone and one City Administration were chosen. Subsequently, six secondary schools and 259 teachers were selected as the study sample. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and the validity and reliability of the instruments were thoroughly checked. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied for data analysis. The study result showed a positive, strong, and significant relationship between school principals' ethical leadership and teachers' organizational commitment. The study further revealed that ethical leadership dimensions were positively and significantly related to teachers’ organizational commitment. Moreover, all dimensions of ethical leadership, except for the behavioral ethical leadership dimension, had a positive, statistically significant, and moderate effect on teachers' organizational commitment. The study implies that school principals should actively exhibit and reinforce ethical behaviors in their activities, as an empirically supported factor in enhancing teachers' organizational commitment. Education offices should also establish ethical guidelines and capacity-building initiatives to ensure that all school leaders consistently demonstrate ethical leadership.

Keywords

ethical leadership , leadership behaviors , organizational commitment , principals’ ethical leadership , teachers’ organizational commitment

Ethical Statement

Institutional Review Board Statement: The Research Ethics Review Committee of the College of Education, Hawassa University approved the study on 12/05/2023 (Ref. No COE-RERC – 11/23).

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Thanks

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the study participants.

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