The ETHOS Model: Servant Leadership, Ethical Climate, and Workplace Spirituality in Teachers' Public Service Motivation
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Keywords
ETHOS, public service motivation, servant leadership, workplace spirituality, ethical climate
Abstract
The present study examines the effects of servant leadership, workplace spirituality, and ethical climate on public school teachers' public service motivation (PSM) in the Philippines. Drawing on Servant Leadership and Self Determination theories, the research employs a quantitative descriptivecorrelational design. It applies Covariance Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) to data collected from 2,962 teachers across Caraga Region. Findings reveal that workplace spirituality shows the strongest positive association with PSM, while ethical climate also significantly influences motivation. In contrast, servant leadership was negatively associated with PSM, but strongly and positively associated when mediated by workplace spirituality and ethical climate structures. These findings inform the development of the "ETHOS Model," a comprehensive PSM framework that aligns with professional compliance standards, including the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST). The model provides practical recommendations for teacher retention, educational policy reform, and leadership development in response to domestic attrition challenges.
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