Academic leaders navigating change: a comprehensive bibliometric review paper of crucial leadership capabilities and managerial competencies

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the intertwined yet distinct roles and responsibilities of leadership and management within higher education institutions. The study underscores the importance of identifying key differentiating indicators of academic leadership and management while emphasizing the need to enhance leadership and management development programs to align with the ever-evolving higher education landscape. Our focus centers on crucial leadership capabilities and managerial competencies exhibited by academic leaders, placing particular emphasis on the value of the academic leadership capability framework as a facilitative tool for academic leadership and management development. After establishing the context of the study, we conduct a selective review of relevant research aimed at identifying effective academic leadership qualities. Next, we delve into the academic leadership capability framework, offering comprehensive insights into its applicability. The paper proceeds to introduce the bibliometric methodology employed, explaining how 610 Scopus-indexed publications on academic leadership and management development, spanning 53 years (1970 to mid-July 2023), were systematically analyzed. Presenting the bibliometric results, we engage in a comprehensive discussion concerning the theoretical and practical/societal implications derived from our findings. Finally, the paper concludes by providing recommendations for future research in this vital domain. AcknowledgmentsThe authors are grateful to Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Scott from Western University Sydney for his invaluable input. The corresponding author expresses gratitude to Zeynab Khodaei, Ilia Ghasemy, and Aria Ghasemy, and dedicates this review paper to the incredible and brave women and men of Iran.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementThe articles analyzed in the bibliometric study can be accessed from the Scopus database using the query provided under the methodology section of this paper.Additional informationFundingThis study has been funded by the Universiti Sains Malaysia [Grant Number: 304/CIPPTN/6315200].Notes on contributorsMajid GhasemyMajid Ghasemy, a Senior Lecturer at the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has an accomplished career, encompassing roles such as coordinating the Global Higher Education Network (GHEN) Malaysia and serving as a mentor for the Web of Science (Publons) Academy. He is also a consultant for Multivariate Software, S.A.P.I. de C.V., and is certified as a senior trainer for ATLAS.tiLiu SiweiLiu Siwei is currently pursuing a PhD at IPPTN, USM, with a specialization in university branding research. His doctoral thesis centers on investigating the factors leading to university brand identification among students and exploring its outcomes. The primary goal of his research is to uncover the underlying rationale behind students' comprehension of university branding. It is anticipated that his research will yield valuable insights that can inform marketing and management strategies for higher education institutions.Morshidi SiratMorshidi Sirat currently holds the position of Higher Education Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education Malaysia.