Ethical Leadership and Organisational Commitment in Educational Institutions: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores how ethical leadership is associated with employees' commitment to educational institutions and examines whether job satisfaction helps explain this association.

Design/Methodology/Approach. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among employees of educational institutions using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analysed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS. The quality of the measurement model was established through reliability and validity assessments, while the proposed relationships were tested using R², f², Q², path coefficients, and bootstrapping.

Findings. The findings demonstrate that employees' perceptions of ethical leadership are positively associated with both job satisfaction and organisational commitment. In addition, employees who reported greater satisfaction with their jobs also showed stronger commitment to their institutions. The mediation analysis further revealed that job satisfaction provides a significant pathway linking ethical leadership with organisational commitment. The model explains 57.4% of the variance in job satisfaction and 63.8% of the variance in organisational commitment.

Research Limitations. The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the sample was drawn from a specific geographical context, which may restrict generalizability. Future studies should employ longitudinal designs and larger, more diverse samples.

Practical Implications. For educational institutions, developing fair, transparent, responsible, and supportive leadership practices may contribute to a more committed and stable workforce. Institutions should focus on enhancing working conditions, employee recognition, professional development, and workplace relationships to improve both job satisfaction and organisational commitment.

Originality/Value. This study contributes to the literature by examining ethical leadership, job satisfaction, and organisational commitment within one integrated mediation model in the context of Pakistani educational institutions, addressing a gap in the existing research.

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