Exploring the Dynamics of Trust and Mistrust in Vietnamese EFL Leadership

Description

This qualitative study investigates the causes of mistrust in leadership among Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) lecturers. Amidst the evolving educational landscape in Vietnam, particularly in EFL teaching, understanding the dynamics of trust within educational institutions is crucial. This research employs semi-structured interviews with nine Vietnamese EFL lecturers across different career stages from two educational institutions, aiming to capture a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. The thematic analysis, grounded in Phenomenological Theory and Social Constructivist Theory, reveals multiple factors contributing to mistrust in leadership. Key themes identified include communication breakdown, perceived lack of leadership competence, the impact of cultural and institutional hierarchies, inconsistent recognition and support, autocratic leadership style, lack of professional development opportunities, perceived ethical discrepancies, insufficient institutional support in crisis situations, lack of vision and direction from leadership, inadequate response to feedback.