Principal workload and problem-solving competence: The mediating role of cognitive flexibility and the moderating role of autonomy
EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1177/17411432261485844
- Dergi Adı: EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION & LEADERSHIP
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examined a moderated mediation model exploring the relationship between principal workload (PWL) and problem-solving competence, with cognitive flexibility as a mediator and principal autonomy (PA) as a moderator. Data were collected from 346 school principals in T & uuml;rkiye, and latent moderated mediation structural equation modelling with maximum likelihood estimation was employed to test the hypothesised relationships. The results revealed that PWL had significant negative direct effects on both cognitive flexibility and problem-solving competence. Furthermore, PA significantly moderated the relationship between workload and cognitive flexibility, attenuating the negative effect as autonomy increased. PA also significantly moderated the indirect relationship between workload and problem-solving competence through cognitive flexibility. Overall, the findings underscore the joint role of workload and autonomy in shaping school principals' problem-solving competence. Implications for educational policy and leadership practice are discussed.