Factors Influencing the Professional Ethical Behaviour of School Principals in Newfoundland and Labrador

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to utilize the perceptions of school principals in Newfoundland and Labrador in identifying and describing those factors which influence their professional ethics. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if the identified ethical faccors and considerations utilized in non-normative situations, varied according to selected school, respondent, and organizational characteristics. Data were gathered using a questionnaire which included 66 fixed response items as well as 10 open-ended response items directly related to two given scenarios. The sample for this study consisted of 129 randomly selected K-12 school principals in Newfoundland and Labrador. The response rate was 85.2%. Statistical data were analyzed through one-way analysis of variance, t tests, factor analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients. The open- ended comments on the scenarios were subjected to content analysis. The results of the factor analysis were 17 factors. A number of these factors were Significantly related statistically to school setting and school size. As well, there were significant relationships with the principals age, gender, level of education, commitment to the beliefs of a church, familiarity with the Newfoundland Teacher's iv Association Code of Ethics, and written and unwritten school board ethical guidelines. A content analysis of comments related to the two scenarios confirmed two muijor ethical approaches utilized by the respondents in dealing with situations in which there was an absence of specific ethical policies and guidelines. However, no conclusive reasons could be advanced for the respondents' pattern of selecting various approaches in dealing with the ethical dilemmas posed in the two scenarios. The study concluded with recommendations for further research into the topic of organizational influences on the ethical decision-making of school principals. As well, the need was advanced for an up-to-date model to describe the ethical decision-making processes associated with the school principalship.