Leadership Styles of Mid-Level Educational Leaders Perceived by Academic Members: An Exploratory Study among Chinese Universities

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  • Author(s): Zhao Cheng (ORCID Zhao Cheng (ORCID 0000-0003-4252-2141); Chang Zhu (ORCID Chang Zhu (ORCID 0000-0002-0057-275X)
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Research in Educational Administration & Leadership. 2023 8(4):762-794.
  • Publication Date:
    2023
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      EARDA Turkish Educational Administration Research & Development Association. Dokuz Eylul University, Buca Faculty of Education, Izmir, Turkey 35150. e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/real/archive
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      33
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Foreign Countries; Universities; Leaders; College Administration; Middle Management; College Faculty; Teacher Attitudes; Leadership Styles; Context Effect; Organizational Culture; School Policy; Discipline Policy; Incentives
    • Subject Terms:
      China
    • ISSN:
      2564-7261
    • Abstract:
      Purpose: The challenges faced by universities in China have presented opportunities to enhance the leadership of educational leaders in universities. Little has been written about the leadership styles of mid-level educational leaders in Chinese higher education (HE). The objective of this study is to provide an authentic understanding of 1) the leadership styles of mid-level educational leaders as experienced by academic members, 2) experienced contextual factors related to the leadership styles of mid-level educational leaders. Design: Qualitative research was conducted, and the perceptions of 13 academic members from nine universities in China were explored. Findings: This study revealed authoritarian leadership style was the most reported leadership style of the mid-level educational leaders, followed by transformational and transactional leadership styles. Participants suggested to minimise the adoption of authoritarian leadership style and to encourage the application of transformational leadership style. Regarding the factors that shape leadership style of mid-level educational leaders, this research supports the following factors: culture, organizational policies & administration, discipline, and incentive mechanism. Originality: We gained a deep understanding of the leadership styles of mid-level educational leaders and the contextual factors that shape the leadership styles in this study. The results can be conducive to future leadership training and to the mid-level educational leaders to create environments that facilitate the application of educational leadership practices.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2024
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1414021