AN EVALUATION OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AND CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR IN STATE-OWNED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract Servant leadership is a comprehensive leadership approach that fosters follower development across ethical, rational, emotional, relational, and spiritual domains. Organizational commitment reflects the extent to which employees align with institutional goals and values, the degree of trust placed in them, and their willingness to remain engaged within the organization. This study examines servant leadership, organizational commitment, and citizenship behavior in state-owned higher education institutions (HEIs) located in Southern Ethiopia. Employing a mixed methods research design, the inquiry integrates both qualitative and quantitative elements. For administrative scope, the study focused on two purposefully selected institutions: Wolayita Sodo University and Dilla University. A total of eight colleges were randomly chosen from these universities, and a simple lottery method was employed to select four participants from each. Using stratified random sampling, 242 trainers were selected from a population of 611. The research drew upon both primary and secondary sources: primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, while secondary data stemmed from literature on servant leadership, organizational commitment, and citizenship behavior. Descriptive statistics specifically mean and standard deviation were applied to interpret the data. Findings suggest a degree of interpersonal rapport among respondents, though further efforts may be needed to foster deeper commitment and meaning. Overall, the data indicate that participants actively engage in collaborative practices, share knowledge, and contribute to problem-solving efforts. Moreover, there is strong evidence of dedication to supporting colleagues within the institutional environment.