Authentic Leadership in Chinese Public Universities: An Exploration of Practices, Challenges, and Strategies among Deans in Sichuan Province

HRMARS - This study aims to investigate the practices, challenges, and strategies associated with authentic leadership among deans in public universities in Sichuan Province, China. As a significant paradigm in leadership research, authentic leadership emphasizes core dimensions such as self-awareness, relational transparency, balanced processing, and internalized moral perspective, which are vital for enhancing organizational effectiveness and fostering positive organizational cultures. However, within the context of Chinese higher education, particularly among deans in public universities, the application and manifestation of authentic leadership remain insufficiently explored. Through a systematic review of the theoretical foundations and existing research on authentic leadership, this paper constructs an integrative research framework and proposes the use of qualitative research methods to examine the leadership practices of deans in Sichuan Province. The findings are expected to contribute new theoretical perspectives on leadership within the Chinese cultural context and offer practical insights for leadership development in higher education institutions.