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The correlation between school leaders moral leadership and teacher job satisfaction: a study in Henan Province, China


Citation

Hanyu, Yan and Ghazali, Siti Sabihah (2025) The correlation between school leaders moral leadership and teacher job satisfaction: a study in Henan Province, China. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 15 (3). pp. 72-93. ISSN 2161-7104

Abstract

This study explores the impact of school leaders moral leadership on teacher job satisfaction in primary and secondary schools in Henan Province, China. Grounded in Moral Leadership Theory, it examines four key dimensions: integrity, fairness, care, and responsibility, while conceptualizing teacher job satisfaction as encompassing emotional well-being, professional recognition, and organizational support. Using a random sampling approach, 384 responses were collected through a structured questionnaire adapted from the Ethical Leadership Scale and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation in SPSS. Findings reveal that school leaders moral leadership does affected job satisfaction among teachers in Henan Province, China. Deeper within the Moral Leadership component, fairness and care show the strongest positive correlations with job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of transparent decision making and emotional support in enhancing teacher morale. However, integrity, though significant, has the weakest correlation, suggesting a potential gap between leaders’ values and actions. Results affirm the applicability of Moral Leadership Theory in Chinese educational contexts and emphasize the role of value driven leadership in fostering teacher satisfaction. The study offers practical implications for leadership development, particularly in promoting ethical governance and supporting teacher retention, while recommending longitudinal and cross regional research for broader insights.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Educational Leadership
Subject: Social Sciences
Subject: Psychology
Divisions: Faculty of Educational Studies
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v15i3.23479
Publisher: Macrothink Institute
Keywords: School leadership; Job satisfaction; Education administration; Moral leadership
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Depositing User: Ms. Nur Faseha Mohd Kadim
Date Deposited: 22 Jul 2026 07:45
Last Modified: 22 Jul 2026 07:45
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.5296/jpag.v15i3.23479
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/127274
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