The public school superintendent has been studied since the early 1800s. Throughout history, the role of the superintendent has evolved into an increasingly challenging role. Between 1860 and 1960, school boards categorically selected superintendents who met a predetermined set of characteristics. White middle-aged males dominated the field. During the 1960s and 1970s, superintendents sought advanced degrees and preparation programs. Mentorships became integral components of the preparation programs that were designed to prepare prospective superintendents to meet the increasing demands of the job. During recent history, superintendents have been plagued by a multitude of academic, societal, and political challenges that are threatening the position of the school superintendent. Increased turnover rate and a declining interest in the field, compounded with the issues of financial management, staff recruitment, instructional leadership, communication, school governance, and strategic planning, are affecting the organizational stability of school districts. Upon entry, the superintendent must balance decision-making responsibilities with leadership strategies regarding the multidimensional functions of the school district. The literature is rich with studies regarding these compounded challenges within the organization of the school district, and research demonstrates that superintendent longevity is linked to organizational sustainability. However, the research literature lacks qualitative research studies focusing on superintendent entry plans, associated superintendent sustainability, and organizational stability. / text

La recherche empirique examine les effets différentiels de deux évaluations de statut, c'est-à-dire le prestige externe perçu (comparaison inter-groupes) et le respect interne perçu (comparaison intra-groupes) sur l'identification organisationnelle (IO). Les différences sont expliquées par la culture sociétale et la durée de l'ancienneté des employés dans l'organisation. Notre recherche explore et teste l'importance de l'IO dans le développement des aptitudes des employés au changement étant donné que l'aptitude au changement est une attitude coopérative discrétionnaire. Ensuite, nous examinons le rôle modérateur des croyances des employés relatives au changement sur cette relation. Ainsi l'effet de l'IO sur le comportement extra-rôle des employés et le bien-être psychologique des employés est également exploré. Au total nous avons reçu 360 questionnaires remplis à partir des organisations publiques en Recherche & Développement et les organisations privées du secteur bancaire et de télécommunications. Les résultats des analyses ont confirmé toutes les relations testées à l'exception de l'effet modérateur des croyances relatives au changement sur la relation entre l'IO et l'aptitude au changement. Les résultats montrent que les individus socialisés dans le contexte collectiviste accordent plus d'importance au soi publique par rapport au soi privé. Ensuite nous avons trouvé que l'effet des évaluations de statut sur le développement de l'IO augmente pendant les dix premières années du service dans l'organisation, et cet effet positif diminue après dix ans d'ancienneté. / This empirical research investigates the differential effects of two status evaluations i.e., perceived external prestige (inter-group comparison) and perceived internal respect (intra-group comparison) on organizational identification (OID). The differences are argued on the basis of societal culture and the length of tenure of employees in the organization. The importance of OID in the development of employee's readiness for change is explored and tested considering readiness for change as a discretionary cooperative attitude. Further, the moderating role of employees' change beliefs is also explored on this relationship. Whereas effect of OID on extra-role behavior of employees and the positive effect of OID on employee's psychological well-being is also explored. A total of 360 filled questionnaires were received from public sector research & development organizations, and private sector banking & telecom organizations. The results of the analyses supported all the hypothesized relationships except the moderating effect of change beliefs on the relationship between OID and readiness for change. The results exhibited that individualized socialized in collectivist context put greater emphasis on public-self as compared to private-self. It was further uncovered that the effect of status evaluations on development of OID is increasing till first ten years of service with the organization, while this positive effect is weakened after 10 years of service. This is the first study which has tried to explore the potential effects of organizational tenure and societal culture on identification process.