Work Motivation and Resourcefulness of Public Elementary School Principals: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

This study examined the work motivation and resourcefulness of public elementary school principals in the Fourth Congressional District of Nueva Ecija during School Year 2018-2019. It described work motivation in terms of work values, job outlook, and quest for renewal; assessed principals' resourcefulness; determined whether these variables differed across selected profile characteristics; and examined the relationships between the three work-motivation constructs and resourcefulness. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed. The participants were 101 public elementary school principals. Data were gathered using an information sheet, an adapted 15-item Work Motivation Checklist, and a 15-item Resourcefulness Inventory Checklist, supplemented by interviews and observations. Weighted means, frequency distributions, reported tests of group differences, and correlation coefficients were used in the analysis. Most principals demonstrated very high work motivation in work values (86.14%), job outlook (68.32%), and quest for renewal (77.23%). Resourcefulness was also high to very high, with 70.30% classified as very high and 29.70% as high. The reported inferential results indicated a significant difference in work values by civil status and a significant difference in resourcefulness by gender. Resourcefulness was significantly related to work values (r = .2202), job outlook (r = .3743), and quest for renewal (r = .4223). The findings underscore the value of sustaining principals' motivation and strengthening leadership-development initiatives that cultivate practical creativity, professional renewal, and responsive school management.