Trust in Leadership and Affective Commitment as a Mediator between Servant Leadership Behavior and Extra-Role Behavior of Teachers

Abstract

Objective - The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between trust in the leader and affective commitment as a mediator between servant leadership behavior and extra-role behavior. In addition, the study examines, whether person-organization fit has a moderating effect. Methodology/Technique - In total, 250 teachers of the border area responded to the research questionnaires, which were then analyzed using structural equation modeling with a partial least squares approach. Findings - The outputs of this study indicate an indirect influence between the principal servant leadership behaviors and extra-role behaviors among teachers, which was mediated by trust in the principal and the teacher's affective commitment to the principal. Furthermore, the results show a significant and direct relationship between servant leadership behaviors towards trust in the principal, affective commitment, and extra-role behaviors. Trust in the principal and teacher's affective commitment also had a significant and direct effect on extra-role behavior. However, the person-organization fit which moderates the effect of servant leadership behaviors on extra-role behaviors did not have a significant or direct effect on extra-role behaviors, in fact, it actually weakened the influence of servant leadership behaviors on extra-role behaviors. Novelty - The findings of this study suggest that trust in the principal and teacher's affective commitment has an important moderating effect which must be managed to strengthen the relationship between servant leadership behaviors and extra-role behaviors. Type of Paper: Empirical Paper. Keywords: Affective Commitment; Extra-role Behavior; Person-organization Fit; Servant Leadership Behavior; Trust in Leader. JEL Classification: M10. M11. M19.