School and teacher level predictors of organizational loyalty in an era of school reform

Abstract

Teachers’ organizational loyalty plays a critical role in the success of reforms in periods when educational reforms gain momentum. This study examined the effects of charismatic leadership, trust in leader, and teacher engagement on teachers’ organizational loyalty based on data collected from 872 teachers in 77 public schools in Türkiye. We examined the predictors of organizational loyalty at the school and teacher levels via multilevel analysis. Using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping test, we also investigated the mediating role of teacher engagement and trust in leader in the relationship between charismatic leadership and organizational loyalty. The results of multilevel analysis demonstrated that school- and teacher-level variables were significant predictors of organizational loyalty. The mediation test results revealed that the relationship between charismatic leadership and organizational loyalty is realized through teacher engagement and trust in leader. Based on the findings, we discussed the effects of charismatic leadership, engagement, and trust in leader on teachers’ loyalty.