The Impact of Leadership Styles on Academic Performance in Thai Higher Education Institutions

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of leadership styles on academic performance within Thai Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), amidst a rapidly evolving global higher education landscape. Recognizing the pivotal role of leadership in adapting to change, fostering innovation, and sustaining academic excellence, this research aims to discern which leadership practices most effectively enhance academic performance in the Thai context. By integrating various leadership theories and examining their applicability in Thai HEIs, the study identifies the relationship between leadership styles and academic outcomes, thereby contributing to a broader understanding of leadership's impact on educational success. Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analysis of academic performance indicators across different institutions with qualitative interviews from a diverse range of university administrators, deans, and department heads. This methodology allows for a comprehensive exploration of how leadership styles correlate with academic performance metrics. Findings: Findings suggest that transformational leadership is significantly associated with higher academic performance, characterized by its emphasis on vision, communication, and employee motivation. In contrast, transactional leadership styles, focusing on rewards and penalties, show a less pronounced impact. The study also highlights the importance of contextual factors, including cultural, economic, and political influences, in shaping effective leadership practices within Thai HEIs. Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: The primary innovation of this research lies in its contextual examination of leadership styles within the Thai higher education sector, providing insights into the nuanced ways in which leadership can influence academic performance in a specific cultural and institutional framework. This understanding is vital for formulating strategies aimed at enhancing leadership effectiveness and, consequently, improving student academic outcomes in Thai higher education settings.