The role of spiritual leadership in fostering discretionary behaviors

Purpose This paper aims to examine the role of two mediating variables in the relationship between spiritual leadership with organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The two mediating variables used in the study were organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) and workplace spirituality as followers’ intrinsic motivation and self-concept factors. Furthermore, the research also examined the role of perceived organizational support as moderating variable on the relationship between spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted using questionnaires via a face-to-face method. The five-point Likert scale was used to assess the variables and to measure the items. The tool of analysis used was partial least square. The sample consisted of 234 respondents encompassing teachers and educational staffs of an Islamic based education institution in Indonesia. Findings The results supported five out of the eight proposed hypotheses. It was apparent that there was a partial mediating role of the OBSE as followers’ motivational concept on the relationship between spiritual leadership and organization citizenship behavior. Research limitations/implications The dearth of literature on the adoption of spiritual leadership in Islamic schools makes the depth of discussion on the study framework somewhat limited. Practical implications The insight provided by this study into understanding and link between spiritual leadership and OCB among Muslim education practitioners. While a large body of leadership research has adopted a variation of leadership theories, the results shifted the focus of attention to the adoption of spiritual leadership as an essential determinant of discretionary behavior in a religious-based institution. Social implications Islamic schools are in dire need of teachers with discretionary behavior. Spiritual leadership proved to have a significant relationship with organizational based self-esteem and OCB. It promotes the intrinsic well-being of the follower by creating a vision where people can achieve their higher purposes of life and contributing to society by performing services to others, and by giving people a feeling of being appreciated. Originality/value The study extends scholarly understanding on the role of spiritual leadership, which is a relatively new and growing area of interest for academics and practitioners, in shaping teachers and academic staffs’ OCBs regarding both theory and practice.