The influence of distributed leadership on teacher organisational commitment: Initial evidence from Vietnam.

Abstract

The present study examines the relationships between distributed leadership, demographic factors and teachers’ organisational commitment in Vietnam by using a questionnaire involving 76 teachers in three secondary schools. Consistent with previous studies, such as Bogler and Somech (2004) and Hulpia et al.(2009a), there was a significant correlation between the respondents’ perceptions of leadership distribution and their organisational commitment. Of the four independent variables examined, teacher commitment was highly correlated with and more likely to be influenced byTeam leadership and Participative decision-making.Data analysis also indicates that in contrast with findings of studies conducted in Western countries, maleteachers in the surveyed schools were found more committed to schools than females whilst experienced teachers showed slightly more organisational commitment than those with less experience. Cultural factors, such as gender inequality, higher respect and salaries for experienced employees were employed to shed light on these differences.