The Relationship between Ethical Climate and Trust and Motivation Levels of Teachers and Students

Abstract

The study aimed at determining the relationship between ethical climate and trust and motivation levels of teachers and students. The sample of this study consists of 200 teachers and 621 students in 35 middle schools that were selected randomly from the middle schools at Hatay’s Kırıkhan district at 2012-2013 academic year. Quantitative analyses were performed after matching the student-teacher dyads. Besides, 30 teachers and 10 students were interviewed through two separate semi-structured interview form. Qualitative findings were analyzed through content analysis method. According to study findings, ethical climate has a positive effect on teachers’ trust in students, students’ trust in teachers and teachers’ motivation levels, however, does not have a significant effect on students’ motivation levels. Controlling for ethical climate, neither teachers’ trust in students nor students’ trust in teachers has a significant effect on motivation levels of two counterparts. The another finding of this study indicates that ethical climate increases trust and motivation levels of both teachers and students. It would be helpful for school managers to try building an ethical climate in their schools if they want to create a trust-based environment in their schools and to motivate their employees.