Decision-making, leadership and performance links in private education institutes

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the relationships between participative decision-making, ethical leadership and leadership performance, which might make school leaders quit autocratic behavior and enhance their performance at private K12 schools in Iraq. Design/methodology/approach – The researchers collected data through a questionnaire using a stratified sampling methodology from 207 educators of 10 institutions. The research methodology included demographic analysis, factor analysis, structural equation modeling and mediation analysis. Findings – The participative decision-making affected moral, knowledge and attitude that contributed to leadership performance. Besides, the only attitude mediated the relationship between participative decision-making and leadership performance. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to private K12 schools in Iraq. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. It might guide educational institutes to change their management style. Originality/value – The study delivers a unique insight into education in Iraq.

Keywords

• performance
• leadership
• education
• decision-making
• ethics