The Mediating Role of Trust in the Relationship Between Perceived Leadership Integrity and Work Engagement Among Chinese Primary School Teachers in Johor Bahru
Peranan Kepercayaan sebagai Pemboleh Ubah Perantara dalam Hubungan antara Integriti Kepimpinan yang dirasai dan Keterlibatan Kerja dalam Kalangan Guru Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina di Johor Bahru
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/mrj.vol15.1.9.2026Keywords:
perceived leadership integrity, work engagement, trust, mediating, Chinese primary school, Quality EducationAbstract
Headmasters play a crucial role in shaping teacher work engagement and retaining quality educators in schools through their daily leadership practices. Existing studies have highlighted the relationship between perceived leadership integrity and work engagement in organisational settings, with trust identified as a key driver of work engagement. However, limited attention has been given to how headmasters’ integrity in leadership influences teachers’ work engagement. Addressing this gap, the present study examined the relationship between perceived leadership integrity and teacher work engagement, with trust as a mediating variable, among 1,358 Chinese primary school teachers in Johor Bahru. Using probability sampling, 338 teachers were randomly selected to participate in this quantitative study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed with SPSS and Smart PLS 4.0. Findings revealed that trust significantly mediated the relationship between perceived leadership integrity and teacher work engagement. Results also showed high levels of perceived leadership integrity, trust in headmasters, and work engagement among the participating teachers. These findings suggest that trusted school leaders foster more resilient, motivated, and committed teaching staff, which in turn enhances teacher retention, student performance, and overall school achievement.
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