Leadership approaches of principals heading National Strategy Learner Attainment Schools in South Africa

This study examines the leadership approaches associated with sustained improved academic performance of principals heading National Strategy for Learner Attainment (NSLA) schools. This article reports on a qualitative multiple-case study focused on five successful NSLA secondary schools in Cape Town, South Africa. Data was collected from principals, teachers and selected School Management Team (SMT) members via questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to understand the leadership practices and personality traits that characterised the leadership approaches of principals to facilitate teaching and learning for improving academic performance of learners. The findings indicated that an integrated leadership principal leadership framework would be most effective because it would cultivate community between teachers and learners and result into improved academic performance. This approach encapsulates the various leadership approaches and the leadership personality traits or characteristics of the principals as well as taking into consideration the situational context for effective leadership and decision-making.

The Moderation Role of Transformational Leadership in the Effect of Instructional Leadership on Teacher Professional Learning and Instructional Practice: An Integrated Leadership Perspective

Aim: While integrated leadership has received significant scholarly attention in the past decade, most existing research in this vein has focused on its impact on student achievement and often dismissed how it might be related to instructional practices, which are at the center of many school reforms. In this research, we examined the relationship between integrated leadership and teacher professional learning and teacher practices in Turkey, where educational policy makers have recently introduced several school reform initiatives. More specifically, we aimed to examine the moderating function of transformational leadership in the relationship between instructional leadership and teacher practices, with an emphasis on the mediating role of teacher professional learning. Research Design: We conducted this study with a cross-sectional design and moderated mediation model. Data collected from 616 teachers working in a mix of primary and secondary schools in Turkey were analyzed using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping tests. Findings: We found evidence that transformational leadership acted as a moderator of the indirect effect of principal instructional leadership on teachers' instructional practices through teacher professional learning. Implications: This study adds to the accumulated body of knowledge on the effects of school leadership by concluding that the effect of instructional leadership on teacher learning and practice is contingent upon the extent to which principals enact transformational leadership. School principals who adopt a more comprehensive leadership approach that combines instructional leadership and transformational leadership practices can maximize their effects on student achievement through teacher learning, and better address the ever-growing demands of educational reforms.

Multi-level governance tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in China

This paper investigates China’s leadership over intergovernmental and private actions in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies sectors, levels, and roles played. The main argument is that successful control over the pandemic depends on effective and integrated leadership at different levels. The conceptual, theoretical, and analytical framework is given by the multi-level governance theory. Through a case study, the actions adopted in China (n = 374) were mapped from reports issued by the Chinese government, the World Health Organization, and media information. Content analysis was adopted to categorize data. Quantitative and qualitative findings show different roles of actors, as well as usefulness of the multi-level governance to provide fast and complex responses required during the pandemic. In the last section, the conclusion and recommendations for future research are addressed. The lack of studies on the application of multi-level governance in non-democratic regimes especially during a pandemic indicates the relevance and contribution of this study to the literature.

The Trait Theory of Leadership and The Eight-Fold Noble Path as Buddhist Leadership Paradigm: A Stark Scrutiny

This paper titled, The Trait Theory of Leadership and The Eight-Fold Noble Path as Buddhist Leadership Paradigm: A Stark Scrutiny, strives to explore an affinity between the trait theory and the eight-fold noble path, to scrutinize the theoretical and practical implication of the integrated approach of both from the Nepalese perspective, and to expedite potential paradigm shift to enhance the leadership competencies of the 21st century. It is a conceptual paper. The secondary data has been profoundly analyzed to accumulate required facts, details, and information through comprehensive literature reviews. In conclusion, there is an obvious and precise affinity between both conceptions to propose an integrated paradigm transmutation for the enhancement of leadership competencies of the 21st century. From the Nepalese perspective, the empirical implication and application of the integrated leadership approach with the amalgamation of both i.e. the trait theory and the eight-fold noble path are seen inevitable as well as undeniable.

SMART Integrated Leadership (SMILE) for Smart City

The concept of a smart city which is becoming a big issue in big cities around the world encourages the active role and participation of the community in city management using a citizen centric approach so that there is a more dynamic and close interaction between citizens and service providers. The aim of implementing a Smart City is to be able to form and implement a city that is safe, comfortable, controlled and facilitates access for its citizens and strengthens the competitiveness of the city in terms of economy, social and technology. Smart cities must have a strong governance-oriented approach that emphasizes the role of social capital and relationships in urban development. The Smart City concept is no longer limited to ICT diffusion, but looks at people and society's needs. To meet and exceed citizen expectations, city leaders must innovate in core service areas in the application of the Smart City concept. In order to create innovative, creative and resilient leaders, it is necessary to design a Smart Integrated Leadership (SMILE) to support the success of a Smart City. Keywords: Smart City, Smart Integrated Leadership Abstrak Konsep kota cerdas (Smart City) yang menjadi isubesar di kota-kota besar di seluruh dunia mendorong peran aktif dan partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengelolaan kota menggunakan endekatan citizen centric sehingga terjadi interaksi yang lebih dinamis dan erat antara warga dengan penyedia layanan. Tujuan implementasi Smart City adalah untuk dapat membentuk dan menerapkan suatu kota yang aman, nyaman, terkendali dan mempermudah akses bagi warganya serta memperkuat daya saing kota dalam hal perekonomian, sosial dan teknologi. Smart city harus memiliki pendekatan pemerintahan yang berorientasi kuat yang menekankan peran modal sosial dan hubungan dalam pembangunan perkotaan. Konsep Smart City tidak lagi terbatas pada difusi TIK, tetapi melihat orang dan kebutuhan masyarakat. Untuk memenuhi dan melampaui harapan warga, pemimpin kota harus berinovasi di bidang layanan inti dalam penerapan konsep Smart City. Dalam rangka menciptakan para pemimpin inovatif, kreatif dan tangguh maka perlu dirancang Smart Integrated Leadership (SMILE) untuk mendukung suksesnya Smart City. Kata kunci: Smart City, Smart Integrated Leadership

Leadership training in family medicine residency: a scoping review

BackgroundGraduate medical education, including family medicine residency, has historically focused on building clinical competencies with little attention paid to leadership skills, leaving residents feeling ill-prepared for leadership roles after training.ObjectiveTo analyse the format, content and outcomes of leadership training programmes offered to family medicine residents.MethodsA MEDLINE (OvidSP) literature search from 1976 to October 2018 for articles on Family Medicine AND Residency AND Leadership Programs retrieved 184 articles. After reviewing inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 articles were chosen for full review and synthesis.ResultsThree articles described leadership training available to Family Medicine all residents while nine focused on a select group. Programme format and content varied, ranging from a 1-day programme on emotional intelligence to a 5-year integrated leadership track. The most comprehensive curricula were longitudinal and offered to a small group of residents. Inclusive programmes often taught leadership through the lens of a specific competency. Mixed teaching methods were valued including online learning, simulations, small group discussions, mentorship, reflection, placements and projects. Conceptual frameworks were inconsistently used and programme evaluation seldom addressed high-level or long-term outcomes.ConclusionsLeadership skills are important for all family physicians; however, there is limited literature on comprehensive leadership development during training. Existing curricula were described in this review and we suggest a longitudinal mixed-methods programme integrated throughout residency, covering basic comprehensive skills for all residents. However, evaluative data were limited, and a considerable gap remains in how to effectively approach leadership development in family medicine residency, warranting ongoing research.

Effectiveness of business leadership in the Eurasian context: empirical evidence from Kazakhstan

PurposeBased on the tenets of the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study investigated the influence of different leadership styles on organizational performance in the context of a Eurasian country (i.e. Kazakhstan). It further examined the moderating role of corporate culture in the leadership-organizational performance relationship.Design/methodology/approachUsing the quantitative survey method, the study collected data from 321 managerial employees working in local and multinational corporations in Kazakhstan. The collected data were analysed using SPSS software, and factor analysis, path analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted to validate the hypotheses. Furthermore, structural equation modelling was developed to assess the moderating effects of the variables.FindingsThe findings reveal that among different leadership styles, transformational, transactional and paternal leadership have higher influences on organizational performance. Among different corporate cultures, clan culture appears to have higher moderating effects on the leadership-organizational performance relationship. The moderating role of corporate culture on the leadership influence-organizational performance relationship supports the “resource caravan” effects of the composition model theory.Research implicationsBased on the premises of the COR theory, this study suggests developing multiple leadership competencies among managerial employees to be more effective in any given organizational or country context. As a result of the inclusiveness of multiple competencies, the study further suggests the consideration of an “integrated leadership approach” in the Eurasian context. Consistent with the national cultural syndrome, and as preferred by employees, managers could focus on developing a clan or group culture to strengthen their influencing power on employees.Originality/valueThe study adopts the COR theory by considering leadership competencies as unique resources of individual managers, which suggests the development of an “integrated leadership approach” for better management development and improved organizational performance. Furthermore, the study contributes by validating the applicability of the “conservation of resources” and the “composition model” theories in leadership studies.

Activities of the Armed Forces of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia: Experience for Ukraine

The current state of activity of the Armed Forces of the Baltic States such as Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia has been studied. The experience of the Armed Forces of these countries in ensuring collective defense, security and peace in accordance with NATO standards has been analyzed. It is stated that the National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia is a group of troops intended to protect the fundamental freedoms, independence and territorial integrity of the state. It’s a part of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia. It is emphasized that the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania are a state military organization whose purpose is to protect the territorial integrity and inviolability of the state. It is a structural unit of the Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania. It is noted that the Armed Forces of Estonia (Defence Forces) is a military organized unit of the Executive authority, which is headed by the government of the Republic and the Ministry of Defence of Estonia. It is stated that the activities of the Armed Forces of the Baltic States are carried out on the principle of collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which task is to protect the member States from military threat. Based on the analyzed experience of the Baltic States’ Armed Forces, it has been concluded that the effective functioning and activities of the Armed Forces depends on a clear definition of the main priorities in the field of defenсe, chains of international community and valid logistical support. It is noted about the possible implementation of certain positive provisions regarding the transformation about the integrated leadership system of the defenсe forces and military management in the Armed Forces in accordance with NATO standards and the provision of advisory assistance.