The effect of Role Ambiguity and role conflict on performance of vice principals: The mediating role of Burnout

Abstract

Problem Statement: Role ambiguity and role conflict are considered issues that affect performance and lead to burnout. While numerous studies have analyzed role ambiguity or role conflict in relation to burnout or performance, few studies have studied all of these issues together. Since vice principals are expected to carry out a variety of responsibilities as principals and educators, it is predicted that they frequently experience role ambiguity, role conflict, and burnout. However, there is a dearth of studies researching how vice principals in schools are affected by this situation. Purpose of the Study: The study aims to investigate the effects of role ambiguity and role conflict on the burnout of head vice principals and vice principals and on job performance indirectly and directly. Methods: Two hundred vice principals working at elementary and high schools in the city centers of Denizli and Manisa were contacted. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity Questionnaire, and Job Performance Scale were used. In line with the purpose of the study, the model was tested to analyze the cause and effect relationship between variables. SPSS 17 and AMOS 7.0 were used to analyze the data. Findings and Results: The indirect and direct effects of role ambiguity on job performance were significant. In terms of the effect of role ambiguity on job performance, full mediation of emotional exhaustion and partial mediation of personal accomplishment were found. The direct and indirect effects of role conflict on job performance were also significant. The full mediation of emotional exhaustion and the partial mediation of depersonalization resulted from the effect of Role Conflict on job performance. Conclusions and Recommendations: According to the results of the study, the direct effect of role ambiguity and role conflict on job performance is higher than the indirect effect. It was found that role ambiguity decreases job performance indirectly and directly. While the direct effect of role conflict increases job performance, the indirect effect of role conflict decreases job performance. Emotional exhaustion fully mediates both role ambiguity/job performance and role conflict/job performance relationships. While personal accomplishment plays a partially mediating role in the relationship between role ambiguity and job performance, depersonalization partially mediates the relationship of role conflict and job performance. Based on the results of the study, it can be said that determining the mission, authority, and responsibilities of vice principals might increase their performance.