Transformational Leadership, Perceived Justice, and Turnover Intention among University Lecturers: A Conceptual Framework in the German Higher Education Context

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between transformational leadership, perceived justice and turnover intention among university lecturers in Germany. Increasing concerns regarding faculty retention, organizational stability, and academic performance in higher education institutions have highlighted the importance of leadership effectiveness and workplace fairness in shaping lecturers’ intention to remain within their organizations. Although transformational leadership has been widely associated with positive organizational outcomes and reduced turnover intention, limited research has examined these relationships within the German higher education context, particularly in applied science universities.

Drawing upon transformational leadership theory and organizational justice perspectives, the paper develops a conceptual framework that investigates the role of perceived justice and transformational leadership in shaping turnover intention among university lecturers in applied science university (Fachhochschulen). The study further examines the dimensions of organizational justice, including distributive, procedural, interpersonal, and informational justice, and their relevance in academic institutions.

The proposed framework contributes to the higher education and organizational behavior literature in three ways. First, it integrates transformational leadership, perceived justice, and turnover intention within a unified conceptual model. Second, it applies validated organizational behavior constructs to the academic context of German universities. Third, it addresses the limited literature concerning leadership and lecturer retention in German higher education institutions. The study offers theoretical implications for future empirical and quantitative research and practical insights for university administrators seeking to enhance lecturer retention and organizational effectiveness.