Exploring the association between transformational leadership and teacher’s self-efficacy in Greek education system: a multilevel SEM model

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of principals’ transformational leadership on teachers’ self-efficacy across 77 different Greek elementary and secondary schools based on a centralized education system. For the investigation of the above effect multilevel Structural Equation Modelling analysis was conducted, recognizing the nested nature of the data (teachers withing schools). It was using the approach of Muthén and the software package MPlus. For the purpose of this study, psychometric properties of the Principal Leadership Questionnaire (PLQ) and The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) were examined using structural equation modelling techniques. The results revealed that general factor representing the items of PLQ have an effect upon TSES constructs (efficacy in student engagement, and efficacy in instructional strategies). The originality and value of the current manuscript highlights the stability of the effect of transformational leadership and self-efficacy in a centralized educational system and the importance of the application of different transformational leadership behaviours concerning the enhancement of teacher’s self-efficacy. Conclusions on the implications, suggestions for future research and limitations of the findings are drawn.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aikaterini Gkolia

Aikaterini Gkolia is at Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece. Email: [email protected]. She received her doctorate in educational leadership from University of Thessaly, Greece. She has also received MSc in Applied Statistics and Operational research from Birkbeck, University of London. She is a current member of the cohort of the INSPIRE PGCE programme for 2015/2016 in the Imperial College, London and Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). Her research interests focus on educational leadership using advanced level of quantitative methods.

Athanasios Koustelios

Athanasios Koustelios is a professor of Sport and Recreation Management in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the University of Thessaly, Greece. Email: [email protected]. His research interests include organization behaviour and human resource management in sport, educational and various types of organizations.

Dimitrios Belias

Dimitrios Belias is a Human Resource Management scientist. He is a holder of BSc, MSc, MEd and PhD degrees received from University of Thessaly, Greece. Email: [email protected]. He has published more than 70 papers in international and Greek refereed journals and conference presentations in the areas of organization behaviour, and human resource management. He has also been a regular reviewer for five scientific journals and is currently a member in many scientific and professional bodies.