Work Engagement and its Relationship with Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Empowerment as Perceived by School Principals in the North Aghwar Region- Irbid Governorate, Jordan

Abstract

This study aims at determining the level of work engagement and its relationship with self-efficacy beliefs and empowerment as perceived by school principals in North Agwar area in Jordan. To determine whether there are any statistically significant differences that could be attributed to the variables of academic qualification, work experience and gender. Towards this purpose, the researchers employed the descriptive methodology. A three- part questionnaire was administered to 77 school principals in North Agwar area. The findings show that the participants reported high levels on all components of the instrument. “The Outcomes Expectations” got an average of (4.24) followed by the Personal Administrative Efficacy (4.22) and finally the general administrative efficacy (3.19). All individual items of the ”Self-Efficacy Beliefs” were rated “high” except for the "General Administrative Efficacy" which was rated as "average". Dimension of empowerment ranked in the following descending order “Status, independence, Impact, Decision making and professional growth” with the following averages (4.75, 4.55, 4.38, 4,29, and 4.12 respectively). All items of empowerment were rated ‘high’ except for one item that was rated mild. Regarding work engagement ‘dedication’ ranked the first with (4.61) average, followed by ‘rigor’ with (4.34) average. Finally, the findings also show that two statements  "empowerment" and ‘absorption ranked (4.12). All items were rated high except for one item that was given moderate average. The study concludes through the discussion of findings and recommendations inter alia: Raising awareness of self-efficacy beliefs particularly the 'general administrative efficacy', introducing interventional programs and training principals to view their schools within the grand scheme of things, changing the prevailing work culture, introducing school-based administration and interdisciplinary work teams. Finally, due to levels of divergence and convergence with related studies, the study recommends conducting further studies on the subject using different methodology, variables, samples and settings.