Purpose-driven leadership and organizational success: a case of higher educational institutions

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationships between organizational purpose, leadership practices and sustainable outcomes for universities in emerging economies. We propose that a strong sense of purpose is a fundamental and defining feature in the leadership practices of these institutions, which ultimately contributes to their success.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present a research model that defines the relationships between a sense of purpose, leadership practices, student success outcomes, alumni involvement outcomes and societal reputation outcomes. Over 200 higher education administrators in India participated in the study.FindingsThe institutions' sense of purpose directly relates to their leadership engagement practices and their student success outcomes. Student success outcomes are a crucial linkage between leadership engagement practices and alumni involvement outcomes to achieve their societal reputation.Practical implicationsAs competitiveness intensifies, educational institutions under resource constraints must differentiate their organizational practices. This paper demonstrates how their core purpose and leadership actions result in achieving effective outcomes and overall sustainable societal reputation.Originality/valueThere is a significant difference between having an organizational purpose and enacting that purpose through their leadership practices. These results highlight the cascading effect from the institution's fundamental sense of purpose to their leadership practices and the positive outcomes of student success, alumni involvement and societal reputation.

Resolving the adaptive performance problems in the public sector using purposeful leadership: an empirical investigation in Ghana

“…High-ranking public officials can employ PL to cultivate good work attitudes and behaviours in PS employees, enabling them to deliver professional, transparent, and exceptional public services. Hong et al (2021) observe a correlation between leaders who demonstrate PL and followers' behaviour. Therefore, PL has the potential to enhance accountability and performance in the PS and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 16, which seeks to establish efficient PS institutions worldwide (United Nations, 2015).…”

“…This paper adds to the paucity of evidence on this concept in PS organisations. This research offers empirical literature on the possible merits of executing PL, building on existing studies in the PL literature (CIPD, 2017;Yarlagadda et al, 2017;Hong et al, 2021) management field by demonstrating how performance problems in the PS can be resolved by PL. Here, PL is presented as a game changer due to its three distinct capabilities (vision, moral identity, and dedication to stakeholder's interests) that, collectively, provide a comprehensive elucidation of a leadership style that holds greater potential for the future of leadership in Ghana's PS organisations.…”

Awareness and Acceptability of Camarines Norte State College Vision and Mission, The Graduate School Goal and Objectives of Curricular Programs

“…The institutions' objectives directly relate to the kind of leadership engagement and practices they have as it manifest to student success. The study of Hong et al, (2021) highlighted that cascading the institution's objectives to its stakeholders will earn positive outcomes to the achievement of students in strengthening involvement and societal reputation.…”

The Impact of Organizational Learning on Organizational Success in EgyptAir: Organizational Power as a Moderator

“…There are many indicators by which one can judge the success of any company (Kinya, 2020). These indicators include financial performance, operational efficiency, sales volume, productivity, profits, quality of products and services, market share (Hong et al, 2021), company efficiency and effectiveness, and distinguished human capital (Yazici, 2020). The company's success can also be inferred through the quality of services provided to customers (Habibi et al, 2020), the level of creativity and innovation, the provision of innovative products and services, the capabilities and skills of employees (Anzola-Román et al, 2019), strategic adaptation and flexibility, and customer and employee satisfaction (Nuel et al, 2021;Chen, 2019).…”

“…It also seeks to confront threats and exploit the opportunities available to it to achieve a better future. In order for the management to achieve its goals, it needs the organizational power that drives and directs efforts towards achieving these goals and achieving organizational success (Hong et al, 2021;Ashraff et al, 2020;Kanter, 2017). Various companies are working to achieve success by building their organizational capabilities and enhancing their core competencies, which enable them to exploit all their material, financial and human capabilities in a way that achieves superiority over their competitors (Habibi et al, 2020;Phornlaphatrachakorn, 2020).…”