Teacher perception of the competence of the school management team in using a professionally inviting culture and its influence on job satisfaction

Abstract: This research aimed to determine teachers’ perceptions on the effectiveness of school management teams to create a professionally inviting culture as a sub-dimension of holistic education and its effects on job satisfaction. To determine the recommendations, 703 teachers and educational managers responded to an electronic survey that contained a range of questions asking the respondents to express their perceptions of their school management team. All types of schools across South Africa were invited to participate. The results indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between teachers’ perceptions of their school management team and job satisfaction. The most important finding was that a professionally inviting culture has a direct statistically significant effect on aspects which enhance job satisfaction, while aspects that impeded job satisfaction act as a moderating variable between a professionally inviting culture and aspects enhancing job satisfaction. With respect to the professionally inviting culture factor, the most important variable positively affecting teacher perception is the relationships between the school management team members and the teachers. Qualification level and duration of teaching experience also played a major role. The final component was a positive correlation between the general management effectiveness of the school management team and the increase in the perceived presence of a professionally inviting culture to enhance job satisfaction. The importance of good professional relationships is a vital component in the creation of a professionally inviting culture as a sub-dimension of holistic leadership.M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management