Investigation of the relationship between teacher job satisfaction, empowerment and loyalty: the difference between teachers of ethnic majority students and teachers of ethnic minority students in Vietnam

ABSTRACT

While teacher loyalty, as in many other professions, generally stems from the satisfaction gained from their work, there remains considerable debate on how teachers of ethnic minority (EMI) students can derive satisfaction from their exceedingly exacting work. Although many researchers have investigated the relationship between teacher satisfaction and their loyalty to teaching, little is known about the variation in those characteristics between sub-groups of teachers teaching at EMI schools, especially in developing countries like Vietnam. This study therefore sought to understand the loyalty of teachers teaching at Vietnamese EMI schools. A structural equation model was used to analyze empirical data from a survey with 248 teachers. The findings indicated that teachers teaching EMI students, compared to their counterparts teaching ethnic majority (EMA) students, found evident satisfaction and showed unswerving loyalty to their teaching jobs.

KEYWORDS:

• Teacher job satisfaction
• teacher empowerment
• teacher loyalty
• Vietnam
• teacher for EM students
• structural equation model

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank the reviewers for their valuable comments, which helped us improve the quality of the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development [grant number 02/2019/NCUD].

Notes on contributors

Loc Thi My Nguyen

Prof. Dr Loc Thi My Nguyen is the founding rector of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. She is the Chairperson of the Vietnam State Council for Professorship of Education. She is the also president of the VNU, UEd Academic and research Council. Her main research interests are educational management, higher education, university administration, school psychology, educational psychology and teacher training.

Trung Tran

Trung Tran is Professor of Mathematics Education at University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and Director of the Vietnam Academy for Ethnic Minorities, Hanoi, Vietnam. Professor Trung Tran has published many articles in prestigious WOS, Scopus-indexed journals, and book editors of international publishers (SpringerNature, Taylor&Francis, DeGruyter). The main research areas of Professor Trung Tran are ethnic education, educational management, public policy, and teaching methods. Besides, Professor Trung Tran also participates in interdisciplinary research between education and mathematics, computer science, economics and technology, and the development of scientific research skills.

Thuan Van Pham

Thuan Van Pham was awarded his PhD in Education Management by University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi in 2009, and then was promoted to associate professor in 2016. He is currently serving as the Head of the Department of Specialized Management Sciences, and Vice Rector of University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Dr. Thuan's research topics include human resource development in education, state management of education, school administration and quality assurance. Dr. Thuan is principle investigator of three research projects funded by Vietnam's government. He has published more than 30 papers in scholarly journals and refereed conference proceedings, including 04 monographs; 05 WOS, Scopus-indexed articles.

Hien Thi Thu Le

Hien Thi Thu Le is a full time Associate Professor of Education at University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam. Her main research interests include innovation of teaching and learning methods in high school, evaluation and assessment in education, ethnic education.

Thanh Thi Nghiem

Thanh Thi Nghiem is working at the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and is a Ph.D. candidate majoring in Educational Management at Hanoi National University of Education. Her research areas mainly focus on the management and development of human resources in education, state management and education management, education technology; higher education and ethnic minority education. Ms. Nghiem has published a number of documents in domestic and WOS, Scopus -indexed journals and books.

Thuy Phuong La

Thuy Phuong La is a doctor in Teaching Methodology, and she is currently working at the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam. Dr. Thuy Phuong La specializes in research teacher training and continued training, education technology, and ethnic education. Dr. Thuy Phuong La has published several documents in domestic and WOS, Scopus -indexed journals and books.

Thao Thi Phuong Trinh

Thao Thi Phuong Trinh is an Associate Professor and Doctor of Education. She is now serving as a senior lecturer at the Thai Nguyen University of Education, Vietnam. Her main research interests include mathematics education, education technology, teacher training and fostering and ethnic education.

Thuy Ngoc Ta

Thuy Ngoc Ta is a Master candidate at Master of Public Policy, Vietnam-Japan University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. She is also a member of Reduvation Research Group at Thanh Do University, Vietnam. Her research topics include English as a Medium of Instruction, Teaching and Learning, adn Academic Engagement.