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Exploring the nexus between servant teacher leadership behaviour, psychological empowerment, and cognitive learning: evidence from universities of Pakistan

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Abstract

The present study focuses on determining the suitability of servant-teacher leadership as a leadership approach for instructional purposes. The study specifically looks at how servant leadership affects followers’ cognitive learning by considering the mediating role of follower psychological empowerment. Using a stratified random sampling technique, data was collected through a questionnaire from seven hundred graduates from various HEC-recognized universities. The results of the study show that servant teaching significantly improves students’ cognitive learning and sense of empowerment. Additionally, the study found that psychological empowerment mediates the link between follower cognitive learning and servant leadership. The findings of this study provide new insight to instructors seeking to develop a learning environment that fosters students’ learning outcomes. However, it is also important to consider how to ensure students’ commitment and that they are being challenged. Future research may explore the impact of cultural values on students’ behavior toward servant teachers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ShangHai Baoshan Sparetime University, Baoshan Branch School of ShangHai Open University, ShangHai, 200940, China

    Juan Du

  2. Department of Commerce, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

    Muhammad Umer Quddoos

  3. UE Business School, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan

    Moazzam Latif & Syed Muhammad Abbas

  4. General Manager Institute of Industrial and Control System, Karachi, Pakistan

    Arslan Ahmad Siddiqi

  5. Department of Commerce, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

    Muhammad Sajid Amin

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  1. Juan Du
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  2. Muhammad Umer Quddoos
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  3. Moazzam Latif
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  4. Syed Muhammad Abbas
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  5. Arslan Ahmad Siddiqi
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Correspondence to Muhammad Umer Quddoos.

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Appendix

Appendix

Appendix A: Questionnaire

Personal information

figure a

Indicate your agreement (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, and 5 = strongly agree) on the following statements:

 

Items

1

2

3

4

5

Servant Teaching Leadership

My teacher makes students’ development a priority. 

     

I would seek help from my teacher if I had an academic problem.

     

My teacher emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community.

     

My teacher puts the student’s best interests ahead of his/her own.

     

My teacher gives students the freedom to handle difficult situations in the way that they feel is best.

     

My teacher would NOT compromise ethical principles in order to meet success.

     

Students would seek help from my teacher if they had a personal problem. 

     

Psychological Empowerment

I am confident about my ability to do my task.

     

The study that I do is important to me.

     

I have significant autonomy in determining how to study. 

     

My study activities are personally meaningful to me.

     

I can decide on my own how to go about doing my studies.

     

I really care about what I my studying.

     

My study is well within the scope of my abilities.

     

I have considerable opportunity for freedom in how I study.

     

I have mastered the skills necessary for my study.

     

The study I do is meaningful to me.

     

I am self-assured about my capabilities to perform my study activities.

     

I have a chance to use personal initiative in carrying out my study activities.

     

Cognitive Learning

If I had a class with the instructor, I would:

     

Talk about what I’m doing in the class with friends and family.

     

Explain course content to other students.

     

Think about the course content outside of class.

     

See the connections between the course content and my career goals.

     

See the connections between the course content and my career goals.

     

Compare the information from the class with other things I have learned.

     

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Du, J., Quddoos, M.U., Latif, M. et al. Exploring the nexus between servant teacher leadership behaviour, psychological empowerment, and cognitive learning: evidence from universities of Pakistan. Curr Psychol 43, 16148–16159 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05505-0

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