“ IMPACT OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP COMPETENCY DIMENSIONS ON ACADEMIC STAFF PERFORMANCE; IN KURDISTAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES”

Abstract

Purpose: to investigate the relationship and impact of strategic leadership competency dimension (Intellectual IC, Managerial MC and Emotional Competencies EC) on academic staff performance (ASP) in Kurdistan Public Universities (KPUs).

Objectives: The effectiveness of leadership of universities is of a paramount importance for an excellent Academic Staff Performance (ASP). This is achieved by investigating and measuring the impact of each of the three individual leadership competency dimensions in terms of contribution; on ASP. Weaknesses in any of these leadership competency dimensions can then be enhanced through training to insure high standard university graduates.    

Methodology: Building on transactional, transformational and competency schools of leadership theories, this study used a quantitative survey and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) for analyzing data relating to (649) academic leaders; representing the whole population of KPUs; to whom questionnaires were distributed. Only 50% of that number is returned complete. A regression analysis was used to identify the contribution of each of these three individual leadership competency dimensions, on ASP.

Research Questions: This study attempts to answer two significant questions; (i) what are the dimensions of strategic leadership competency that predict the academic staff performance in Kurdistan public universities? (ii) What are the necessary suggestions to improve staff academic performance in Kurdistan public universities?

Originality/Value: The study is the first empirical study in Kurdistan Region of Iraq that focuses on improving ASP through determining the impact of each dimensional group of competencies, for resolving possible weaknesses and reinforcing the importance of leadership competencies in achieving better ASP.

Findings: The results indicate a significant positive correlation exists between all study variables. In terms of contribution, only two of the leadership competency dimensions; Intellectual and Managerial Competencies are significantly contributing towards ASP, but the third dimension; Emotional Competencies, was insignificant and is not a predictor of academic staff performance.

Conclusion: the findings suggest a need for establishing appropriate training programs to deal with any leadership competency imperfection with extra attention given for enhancing the emotional component to increase academic staff performance effectiveness. 

Keywords: Strategic Leadership, Universities, Competences and Styles, Academic Staff.