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The Relationship between Figureheads and Managerial Leaders in the Private University Sector: A Decentralised, Competency-Based Leadership Model for Sustainable Higher Education

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  • Gazi Mahabubul Alam

    (Department of Foundation of Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43300, Selangor, Malaysia)

Abstract

Using school management settings, important substantial leadership models (such as “instructional”, “constructive”, and “distributed”) are developed. University leadership, especially in the private sector, is an understudied topic. While private universities need to generate revenue for profits and survival, they should at the same time retain a sound education philosophy—an extremely difficult task. Studies are yet to be conducted to understand how leaders of private universities handle this challenge, and this issue motivates the present study. Using Bangladesh as a case study, this qualitative analysis discovers that the “visionary” leadership approach is mainly used for the business management models that governs private-sector universities. This does not allow an established education leadership model to function well, if at all. This has seriously challenged education philosophy. Innovation of a specialised private-sector university leadership model is therefore required. A “distributed leadership” approach is the latest innovation for educational leadership, which is mainly applicable for the public system, especially for K12 provision. Considering a distinct operational norm of the private university sector in a developing nation, this research suggests a dynamic revenue-collection model which would enable the development of a decentralised, competency-based leadership approach. While the private university sector may not be able to implement “distributed leadership” model given the operational differences and challenges involved, the proposed model may support the private university sector to function in tertiary level, as the “distributed model” functions for K12 provision. This proposed model (decentralised, competency-based leadership) would further be able to ensure a specialised operational directive for private universities in an emerging nation that may ensure a distinctive nature for the sector’s delivery of sustainable higher education (HE) without compromising the philosophy and role of HE.

Suggested Citation

  • Gazi Mahabubul Alam, 2022. "The Relationship between Figureheads and Managerial Leaders in the Private University Sector: A Decentralised, Competency-Based Leadership Model for Sustainable Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12279-:d:926963
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philip G. Altbach, 2001. "The Globalization of Higher Education," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 72(2), pages 254-256, March.
    2. Mabel Tan & Tie Fatt Hee & Chua Yan Piaw, 2015. "A Qualitative Analysis of the Leadership Style of a Vice-Chancellor in a Private University in Malaysia," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(1), pages 21582440155, March.
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    4. Montecinos, Carmen & Bush, Tony & Aravena, Felipe, 2018. "Moving the school forward: Problems reported by novice and experienced principals during a succession process in Chile," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 201-208.
    5. Gazi Mahabubul Alam & Samsilah Roslan & Abul Quasem Al-Amin & Walter Leal Filho, 2021. "Does GATS’ Influence on Private University Sector’s Growth Ensure ESD or Develop City ‘Sustainability Crisis’—Policy Framework to Respond COP21," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, April.
    6. Alam, Gazi Mahabubul & Al-Amin, Abul Quasem & Forhad, Abdur Rahman & Mubarak, Muhammad Shujaat, 2020. "Does the private university sector exploit sustainable residential life in the name of supporting the fourth industrial revolution?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    7. Fermín Sánchez-Carracedo & Francisco Manuel Moreno-Pino & Daniel Romero-Portillo & Bárbara Sureda, 2021. "Education for Sustainable Development in Spanish University Education Degrees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hao Liu & Wenzhong Zhang, 2023. "“First Among Equals”: Unpacking Patterns of EFL Teachers’ Sustainable Feedback Strategies in Learner-Centered Language Learning Classrooms in the Chinese Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Gazi Mahabubul Alam, 2023. "Sustainable Education and Sustainability in Education: The Reality in the Era of Internationalisation and Commodification in Education—Is Higher Education Different?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-7, January.
    3. Olabode Gbobaniyi & Shalini Srivastava & Abiodun Kolawole Oyetunji & Chiemela Victor Amaechi & Salmia Binti Beddu & Bajpai Ankita, 2023. "The Mediating Effect of Perceived Institutional Support on Inclusive Leadership and Academic Loyalty in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-25, September.
    4. Jiuhua Zheng & Yuqing Geng & Juan Gao & Qinjun Xiang, 2024. "Authenticity: Effective emotional labor strategies on teaching efficacy of university teachers in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(1), pages 1-18, January.

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