Mediating Role of Burnout on the Relationship Between Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict and the Performance of Vice Principals

Studies in the literature have shown that the number of analyses on the effects of role ambiguity, role conflict, and burnout on employee job performance has been inconsistent and limited. Therefore, this study examines the mediating role of burnout on the relationship between role ambiguities, role conflict and vice principals performance. The population of the study were all vice principals serving in public schools of Niger North Senatorial District. Using a census sampling, 188 vice principals were considered the sample of the study. The study employed PLSSEM 3 to run and analyze the data collected. The results showed that four out of five hypotheses were rejected. The direct effect of role conflict increases vice principal’s performance while role ambiguity was found to decrease performance, and overall burnout increases their performance through its sub-dimensions, especially, EE and DP. Meanwhile, a significant mediating role of burnout was established in all the indirect relationship. It is concluded that vice principals faced competing demands both directly and indirectly; their responsibilities are clearly spelt out to them directly but due to certain interferences in the environment make their performances low. The Niger State Secondary Schools Board and Ministry of Education in general should note that the absence of ambiguity in secondary schools is a key element in achieving success; role ambiguity should be minimized through the establishment of procedures that will increase the effectiveness and well-being of vice principals.