Principals’ configuration of a bundle of human resource practices. Does it make a difference for the relationship between teachers’ fit, job satisfaction and intention to move to another school?

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore whether the relationship between teachers’ person–organisation (P-O) fit, job satisfaction and intention to move to another school varies depending on the way a bundle of human resource (HR) practices is configured in education. Drawing on strategic human resource management literature, a strategic and human resource orientation is considered to provide insight into the configuration of HR practices. A mixed methods design was used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from principals and teachers in 56 Flemish primary schools. The qualitative data, which provides insight into principals’ configuration of HR practices, were converted into numerical scores and analysed, together with the quantitative teacher data, using multiple group path analysis. The key findings show that the relation between P-O fit and intention to move operates differently depending on the HR orientation of the teacher’s principal but not on their strategic orientation. This finding supports the need for closer attention to be given to the investment of new teachers and the impact this has on the direct and indirect effect of teachers’ P-O fit on teachers’ intention to move.