How academic leaders induce motivation and productivity among faculty through faculty development management

Despite the growing emphasis on faculty development in higher education, limited research has examined how academic leaders strategically manage these programs to enhance faculty motivation and productivity. This study addresses this gap by exploring the specific leadership strategies employed in faculty development management and assessing their influence on faculty behavior and performance. Using an exploratory qualitative design, the study involved one-on-one interviews with 18 academic leaders from selected State Universities and Colleges in the Philippines. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to capture nuanced insights into leadership practices and faculty responses. While the scope is limited to Philippine higher education, the findings offer comparative insights for institutions in other collectivist and resource-constrained contexts. The study thus contributes to both local and broader discussions on how academic leadership shapes a motivated and productive workforce through strategic development initiatives.