Leiden University Student Repository

Langenberg, Sophieke (2023)

Managerial networking and school performance in Dutch primary education: the moderating effect of job-related attitudes

Master thesis | Public Administration (MSc)

Existing research has shown that managerial networking can positively affect organizational performance. Moreover, it has pointed out contextual variables, concerned with the characteristics of an organization (or its environment) as a whole, that may impact this relationship. However, individual characteristics of public managers have been overlooked. This study examines the moderating effect of public managers’ job-related attitudes – specifically work autonomy, work engagement, and work commitment – on the relationship between managerial networking and organizational performance. Given the positive effects of job-related attitudes according to the existing literature, I argued that these three variables can strengthen the positive effect of managerial networking on performance. The study is conducted in the research context of Dutch primary education, investigating the networking behavior of school principals. Using a preexisting data set of 862 school principals, obtained...Show moreExisting research has shown that managerial networking can positively affect organizational performance. Moreover, it has pointed out contextual variables, concerned with the characteristics of an organization (or its environment) as a whole, that may impact this relationship. However, individual characteristics of public managers have been overlooked. This study examines the moderating effect of public managers’ job-related attitudes – specifically work autonomy, work engagement, and work commitment – on the relationship between managerial networking and organizational performance. Given the positive effects of job-related attitudes according to the existing literature, I argued that these three variables can strengthen the positive effect of managerial networking on performance. The study is conducted in the research context of Dutch primary education, investigating the networking behavior of school principals. Using a preexisting data set of 862 school principals, obtained through a survey sent to all primary schools in the Netherlands in 2013, I tested my hypotheses through multiple regression analysis. Results revealed that in this research context, only work commitment significantly strengthened the relationship between managerial networking and school performance. To obtain a more comprehensive picture of the exact working of the proposed effects in this study, I recommend that future research includes additional variables in the analysis, such as other performance indicators, and internal management, and performs longitudinal research.Show less

Managerial networking

public performance

primary education

work autonomy

work engagement

work commitment.

Author

Langenberg, Sophieke

Faculty

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Specialisation

Public Management and Leadership

Supervisors

Bekerom, P.E.A. van den

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en