The Role of Leader Empowering Behaviours in Psychological Contract at High Schools

Abstract

This research aims to identify the role of leader empowering behaviours in high school teachers’ perceptions of psychological contract. The population of the study is composed of 21 high schools and 913 teachers in Usak. The stratification sampling method is employed, and 280 teachers from 21 school participated in the study. Teachers’ perceptions of psychological contract at school is determined through the “Teachers’ Level of Compliance with Psychological Contract Scale” and “School Principals’ Level of Compliance with Psychological Contract” scale developed by Koçak (2016). The “Leader Empowering Behaviour Questionnaire” developed by Konczak, Stelly, and Trusty (2000) is used to identify teachers’ perceptions regarding empowerment. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation are used in data analysis. Additionally, Pearson Correlation Coefficient is used to measure the relationship between the variables, and hierarchal regression technique is employed for predictive analysis. The findings show that, there is a significant correlation between the levels of compliance with psychological contract of school principals and teachers. Thus, it was confirmed that psychological contract at schools is based on exchange theory. Further findings show that the Leader Empowering Behaviour subscales of coaching for innovative performance, skill development, information sharing and delegation of authority and accountability are positive predictors of teachers’ level of compliance with psychological contract.