Leadership of Madrasah Principals in Fostering Professional Work Ethic among Educational Staff: A Case Study in Indonesian Islamic Schools

Mawardi; Elza Eka Putri; Mona Novita; Darma Wisata

doi:10.61987/jemr.v4i5.873

Authors

Mawardi Universitas Islam Sarolangun, Indonesia
Elza Eka Putri Universitas Islam Sarolangun, Indonesia
Mona Novita Universitas Nurul Jadid, Indonesia
Darma Wisata Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Tarbiyah Darul Ulum, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v4i5.873

Abstract

This study aims to examine how madrasah principals enact leadership practices to foster professional work ethic among educational staff in Indonesian Islamic schools. Educational institutions are not only sites of knowledge transmission but also arenas for cultivating ethical conduct and professional discipline. In madrasah contexts, professional work ethic is inseparable from the moral legitimacy of institutions grounded in Islamic values. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Thematic analysis was used to interpret leadership practices within their organizational and cultural contexts. The findings show that values-based leadership, enacted through moral exemplarity and ethical modeling, is a primary driver of the formation of a professional work ethic. Participatory and relational leadership strengthens organizational commitment, trust, and work discipline by fostering psychological ownership and inclusive governance. Ethical norms are institutionalized through formal routines and informal socialization, enabling the reproduction of professional standards beyond direct supervision. Leadership influence operates at micro, meso, and macro levels through exemplarity, participation, and cultural embedding. These mechanisms jointly cultivate self-regulation, accountability, and service orientation. This study contributes an integrative, culturally grounded framework for ethical leadership in faith-based education and recommends leadership development programs that emphasize ethical embodiment, participatory governance, and institutionalized routines.

References

Abdullah, N. F., Mokhtar, F., & Tumiran, M. A. (2025). Integrative Mediums of IslamicTeaching and Modern Pychology Education: A Conten Analysis. Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 6(2), 188–201.

Al Doghan, M. A., & Sundram, V. P. K. (2024). Influences On Student Learning: Home Environment, Teacher Relationships, And Mediating Factors. Arts Educa, 38.

Anwar, S., Hardhienata, S., & Sunardi, O. (2024). Increasing The Quality Of Lecturer Service Through Strengthening Servant Leadership, Empowerment, Work Motivation, And Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Study Approach using Path Analysis and SITOREM Analysis. International Journal of Islamic Education, Research and Multiculturalism (IJIERM), 6(2), 508–527. https://doi.org/10.47006/ijierm.v6i2.333

Arif, M., Ismail, A., Jia Li, Y., & Yang, W. (2025). Relational and communicative leadership practices in professional learning: a case study of middle leaders in rural Pakistani high schools. Professional Development in Education, 1–20.

Asari, N. A. M. (2024). Empowering Individuals: Islamic Education And Personal Financial Planning. Available at SSRN, 4854923.

Astuti, A. (2024). Value-based Islamic education management: developing leadership and commitment in contemporary Islamic school environments. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v8i5.1709

Chand, S. P. (2025). Methods of data collection in qualitative research: Interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis. Advances in Educational Research and Evaluation, 6(1), 303–317.

Chen, H., & Hu, Z. (2024). Exploring Data Traceability Methods in Information Management Within Universities: An Action Research and Case Study Approach. IEEE Access.

Getenet, S., Cantle, R., Redmond, P., & Albion, P. (2024). Students ’ Digital Technology Attitude , Literacy, and Self-efficacy and their Effect on Online Learning Engagement. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(3), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00437-y

Gökcek, H. A. (2023). A Meta-Analysis In Description And Context Dimensions Including Consumer Behaviours Intended For Symbolic Consumption. Social Science Development Journal. https://doi.org/10.31567/ssd.821

Gretschel, P., Ramugondo, E. L., & Galvaan, R. (2023). Linking paradigms and methodologies in a qualitative case study focused on exploring the operation of power in human actions during the design of a new occupational therapy intervention. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 16094069231187590.

Hartini, N., & Garnasih, W. (2025). An interpretative phenomenological analysis: How educational planning can resolve the teacher marginalization? Indonesian Research Journal in Education| IRJE|, 9(02), 808–829.

Hiim, H. (2023). How Can Collaboration between Schools and Workplaces Contribute to Relevant Vocational Education? Vocations and Learning, 16(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-022-09300-z

Jameel, A., Guo, W., Hussain, A., & Kanwel, S. (2025). Enhancing innovative work behavior through transformational leadership in tourism and hospitality employees: the mediating role of intrinsic motivation and employee creativity. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 1018.

Kamal, M. B., & Mia, R. (2025). Digital ethics: A review of leadership theories, challenges, and responsibilities. Sage Open, 15(4), 21582440251386900. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440251386901

Kareem, J., Patrick, H. A., Prabakaran, N., B, V., Tantia, V., M. P. M., P. K., & Mukherjee, U. (2023). Transformational educational leaders inspire school educators’ commitment. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1171513

Kareem, M. A., & Kummitha, H. R. (2025). Impact of sustainable leadership practices on green innovation: the mediating role of green organisational culture. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01810-9

Kohl, K., Hopkins, C., Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Dlouhá, J., Razak, D. A., Abidin Bin Sanusi, Z., & Toman, I. (2022). A whole-institution approach towards sustainability: a crucial aspect of higher education’s individual and collective engagement with the SDGs and beyond. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 23(2), 218–236.

Maisuroh, S., Jamil, M., & Manshur, U. (2024). The Role of Social Media in Enhancing Digital Literacy Among Generation Z: A Social and Psychological Perspective. Journal of Social Studies and Education, 1(2), 113–125.

Matović, N., & Ovesni, K. (2023). Interaction of quantitative and qualitative methodology in mixed methods research: integration and/or combination. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 26(1), 51–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2021.1964857

Merryfield, M. M. (1998). Pedagogy for global perspectives in education: Studies of teachers’ thinking and practice. Theory & Research in Social Education, 26(3), 342–379.

Miller, E. M., Porter, J. E., & Barbagallo, M. S. (2023a). Simplifying Qualitative Case Study Research Methodology: A Step-By-Step Guide Using a Palliative Care Example. Qualitative Report, 28(8).

Miller, E. M., Porter, J. E., & Barbagallo, M. S. (2023b). Simplifying Qualitative Case Study Research Methodology: A Step-By-Step Guide Using a Palliative Care Example. Qualitative Report, 28(8).

Moslimany, R., Otaibi, A., & Shaikh, F. (2024). Designing a holistic curriculum: Challenges and opportunities in islamic education. Journal on Islamic Studies, 1(1), 52–73.

Mtisi, S. (2022). The qualitative case study research strategy as applied on a rural enterprise development doctoral research project. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21, 16094069221145848.

Paredes-Saavedra, M., Vallejos, M., Huancahuire-Vega, S., Morales-García, W., & Geraldo-Campos, L. (2024). Work Team Effectiveness: Importance of Organizational Culture, Work Climate, Leadership, Creative Synergy, and Emotional Intelligence in University Employees. Administrative Sciences, 14(11), 280. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14110280

Prasetya, Y. B., & Zaakiyyah, H. K. A. (2024). Building Values-Based Leadership in the Context of Knowledge Management and Information Technology to Support Sustainable Change in Organizational Culture. Journal of Contemporary Administration and Management (ADMAN), 2(1), 436–442.

Rahmah, M., Hardhienata, S., & Sunaryo, W. (2025). Improvıng Servıce Qualıty Through Knowledge Management, Organızatıonal Culture, Servıce Leadershıp And Innovatıon (Empirical Study Using Path Analysis And Sitorem Analysis On Public High School Teachers İn Bogor City). Asian Journal of Management, Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 5(02), 439–458.

Rofiq, A. (2025). Kiai as Socialization Agents: Shaping Santri Identity to Foster Tolerance in the Context of Diversity. Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 6(4), 1183–1198.

Sahin, A. (2024). Reimagining the Vocation of Being a Scholar at the Intersection of Islamic and Western Higher Education: A Proposal. In The Contemporary Scholar in Higher Education: Forms, Ethos and World View (pp. 251–277). Springer.

Saputra, D. (2023). The Influence of Interactive Learning Media Usage on Student Learning Motivation in Islamic Religious Education at Elementary Schools. Jurnal Ar Ro’is Mandalika (Armada), 3(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.59613/armada.v3i1.2842

Sen, C., Arun, K., & Okun, O. (2023). Organizational memory: a qualitative research study on a multi-cultural organization. Kybernetes, 52(4), 1528–1551. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-08-2021-0783

Shahriari, M., Tajmir Riahi, M., Azizan, O., & Rasti-Barzoki, M. (2023). The effect of green organizational culture on organizational commitment: The mediating role of job satisfaction. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 33(2), 180–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2022.2029789

Strijker, D., Bosworth, G., & Bouter, G. (2020). Research methods in rural studies: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Journal of Rural Studies, 78, 262–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.06.007

Trede, F., Bowles, W., & Bridges, D. (2013). Developing intercultural competence and global citizenship through international experiences: Academics’ perceptions. Intercultural Education, 24(5), 442–455.

Vella, J. (2024). In pursuit of credibility: Evaluating the divergence between member-checking and hermeneutic phenomenology. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 20(7), 665–669.

Wicaksono, A. F., Pratama, Y. A., Rahayu, K. F., & Waris, A. (2025). Bibliometric Analysis of the Integration of Da’wah Values and Digital Literacy in Formal Islamic Education in Yogyakarta 2020-2024. Berkala Ilmiah Pendidikan, 5(1), 11–24. https://doi.org/10.51214/bip.v5i1.1371

Zengin, E. (2025). The Development and Validation of the Spiritual Values Scale for Primary School Children in the Turkish Context. Journal of Religion and Health, 64(4), 3003–3025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-025-02378-4