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Navigating Institutional Change in Higher Education: Leadership Challenges
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- Author(s) / Creator(s)
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Like all higher education institutions, universities face tremendous pressures to continuously reform as a result of ever-changing conditions in both their internal and external environments. For example, neoliberal policies by many governments have led to the marketization of universities and cuts in government funding, which are among the factors putting pressure on both public and private universities to undergo institutional reform. The purpose of this paper is to examine leadership behaviors that are most effective in supporting universities to drive the needed institutional change in response to the increasing pressures to reform. The literature synthesis revealed that university leaders who demonstrate transformational leadership are more effective in leading these change efforts. Their ability to clearly communicate a compelling vision, serve as charismatic role models, encourage bold and innovative thinking, and show personal care for their followers during the transformation process is highly impactful. Leaders who optimally combine vision, focus, and implementation are more successful at carrying out change initiatives, often adopting a more flexible, emergent approach to change rather than a linear one.
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- Date created
- 2025-04-07
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- Type of Item
- Research Material