Transformational Leadership and Academic Staff Performance: The Moderating Role of Job Security.

Abstract:

This study investigates the effects of transformational leadership (TL) and job security (JS) on academic staff performance (PAS) in Ugandan universities and examines whether JS moderates the relationship between TL and PAS. An explanatory research design was employed, with data collected from 727 full-time academic staff across six public and private universities using structured questionnaires. Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS 29. Results indicate that TL significantly predicts PAS, and JS also has a significant positive effect on PAS. Moreover, JS significantly moderates the relationship between TL and PAS, such that transformational leadership has a stronger positive effect on performance when employees perceive higher job security. The findings suggest that higher education institutions can enhance academic staff performance by simultaneously developing transformational leadership capacities among administrators and implementing policies that improve job security, including fair promotion pathways, stable contracts, and consistent remuneration practices. These combined interventions strengthen both individual and institutional performance outcomes.