The Effect of Toxic Leadership Behaviors in Higher Education Institutions on the Organizational Commitment of Academic Staff

Abstract

he main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of toxic leadership behaviors exhibited by administrators in higher education institutions on the organizational commitment levels of academic staff. The data were obtained from 1008 academic staff working in state and foundation universities by using the survey technique. SPSS 24 and AMOS 24 package programs were used in the analysis of the data. The reliability and validity of the scales used in the research were tested with Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Reliability Analysis applied to both scales, and it was determined that the scales were reliable and valid. In addition, various statistical techniques such as Structural Equation Modeling, One-Way Anova, Independent Sample t-Test and Correlation Analysis were used to test the research hypotheses. The results of the research revealed that; the negative state of mind, unappreciativeness, self-seeking and selfishness of the administrators in higher education institutions negatively affect the emotional, continuance and normative commitment levels of the academic staff and academic staff working at foundation universities in Türkiye are more exposed to toxic leadership behaviors than academic staff working at state universities in Türkiye.