Designing and Validating of the Scale Virtuousness-Oriented Leadership in the Higher Education of Iran

Subject Areas : Education

Hamzhe ghotbedin ¹ , jafar jahani ² , rahmatollh marzooghi ³ , mehdi mohammadi ⁴ , ghasem salimi ⁵

1 - Deputy of Management Development and Resources, University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr. Iran
2 - Associate Professor of Administration and Educational Planning Department, Shiraz University
3 - Professor of Administration and Educational Planning Department, Shiraz University
4 - Associate Professor of Administration and Educational Planning Department, Shiraz University
5 - Assistant Professor of Administration and Educational Planning Department, Shiraz University

Received: 2020-02-05 Accepted : 2021-08-04 Published : 2021-10-23

Keywords: "Leadership", "Higher Education", "Virtue",

Abstract :

The purpose of this study was to design and validate a scale virtuous leadership in Iranian higher education. So far, extensive and wide Efforts have been made in this regard, however, to date, it seems there is no comprehensive and credible valid scale that can be used practically to guide faculty in professional practice. The research was descriptive-correlational study based on structural equations. The sample of the study consisted of faculty members of Shiraz University, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and Persian Gulf University of Bushehr selected using multistage Random Sampling Method in a total of 370 samples. Data were collected using a Likert scale researcher-made questionnaire.This questionnaire was developed based on theoretical and research studies in 53 items with basic personal (personality, skill) and organizational factors. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 92/0 Was obtained. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts. Data were analyzed using SPSS and LISREL software. After factor analysis, the findings indicated that personality component had the highest factor load (0/892) and then skill  (0/873) and organizational (0/776) component. According to the RMSEA index the model is well-fitted. The results showed that personality components include ethical, intellectual, social, intellectual and emotional factors, skill components including technical, human and perceptual, organizational components including planning, structure, decision making, communication and organizational culture. Virtual leaders are emphasized in higher education. The identified ethical components can be used in the process of selecting, appointing and evaluating the performance of higher education managers.  

References:

1. Arasteh, H., Jahed, H. (2011). Observing Ethics in Universities and Higher Education Centers: An alternative for improving behaviors. Science Cultivation.


2. Vol 1, No 2, pp 31-40.[In Persian].


3. M.S.G & Lopes.P.M.P.R. (2014).Virtuous leadership, organizational commitment and individual performance. Review of Applied Management Studies. No12,pp 3-10.


4. Balliett, T. & Kelloway, E. K. (2011). Wiley Online Library, Virtuous Leaders: Assessing Character Strengths in the Workplace. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciencs. Vol 28, No 3, Pp 270-283.


5. Barata, D. D., (2016). The Impact of Leader Engagement on the Creation of Innovation Culture, Int. Journal of Economics and Management. Vol 10, No 1, pp 135 – 149.


6. Bocarnea, M. & Petan, L. (2016). Follower Perceptions of Authentic Leadership: A Comparison between Respondents from Romania and the United States. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Vol 221, pp 142-150.


7. Brown, J. B. (2011). The Building of a Virtuous Transformational Leader. The Journal of Virtues & Leadership. Vol 2, No 1, pp 6-14.


8. Caldwell, C., Hasan, Z. & Smith, S. (2015). Virtuous leadership – insights for the 21st century. Journal of Management Development. Vol 34, No 9, pp1-20.


9. Callina, K. S., Ryan, D., Murray, E. D., Colby, A., Damon W., Matthews, M. & Lerner, R. M. (2017). Developing Leaders of Character at the United States Military Academy: A Relational Developmental Systems Analysis. Journal of College and Character. Vol 18, No1, pp 9-27.


10. Cardwell, S. (2016). Leadership in Educational Organizational. the University of British Columbia Faculty of Educatio Department of Educational Studies, No 28.


11. Carter, S. M. & Greer, C.R. (2013). Strategic Leadership: Values, Styles, and Organizational Performance. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. Vol 20, No 4, pp 375-393.


12. Caruana, L (2017). Science and Virtue: an Essay on the Impact of the Scientific Mentality on Moral Character, translate Mohamad Ibrahim Mahjoub, Tehran: Nashre. Ney. [In Persian].


13. Chikeleze, M. C. (2014). Validation of ethical leadership style questionnaire. PhD Thesis, in values-driven leadership. Benedictine university.


14. Hargrove, D., (2017). The Building Blocks of Authentic Leadership: Being Consistent and Being Seen. Ph D Thesis, in Business Administration, Duke University.


15. Hazrati, M. , Memarzadeh Tehran, G. (2014). Designing the Model of Ethical Leadership, Compatible to the Governmental Organizations of Iran. Journal of Development Evolution. Vol 1393, No 18, pp 63-70. [In Persian].


16. Hejazi F., danaee F. H. & Bagheri K. M. (2016). Identifying the Components of Virtuous and Jihadist Organizations, Case Study: Islamic Revolution Committee and Structural Jihad. Scientific Jornal of Islamic management. Vol 23, No 4, pp 45-71. [In persian].


17. Hegarty, N. & Moccia, S. (2018). Components of Ethical Leadership and Their


18. Importance in Sustaining Organizations Over the Long Term. The Journal of Values – Based Leadership. Vol 11, No 1, pp 1-10.


19. Hessel, L. T. D. (2013). Developing a virtuous Aspect of Leadership: A Case Study of The Virtues Project’s Approach to Leadership Development. M.s Thesis, in Education Department of Educational Research Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo.


20. Homayeni, D. A., Mirkamali, S. M. & homayon, A. S. (2018). Examining Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Job Involvement Employee with Intermediation Job Enthusiasm (Case Study: Social and Behavioral Sciences Faculties of Tehran University). Journal Managemnet System. Vol 9, No 33, pp 291-328. [In Persian].


21. Hoy, W., K. & Miskel, C. G. (2005). Educational Administration: Theory, Research, and Practice. USA. Mc Graw. Hill.


22. Grigoropoulos, J.E. (2019). The Role of Ethics in 21st Century Organizations. International Journal of Progressive Education. Vol 15, No 2, pp 167- 175.


23. Luthans, F. (2011). Organizational Behavior: An Evidence-Based Approach. 12th, USA. McGraw-Hill.


24. Mathew, J., Susannash L. E., Ekanem E. Udo Udo & Musibau A.A. (2016). Organizational Leadership and Culture in the Advertising Industry. Journal of Business and African Economy, Vol 2, No 1, 43-58.


25. Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: theory and practice. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://www.worldcat.org/title/leadership-theory-and-practice/oclc/764593530


26. Pless, N.M., & Maak, T. (2011). Responsible Leadership: Pathways to the Future. Journal of Business Ethics. Vol 98, pp 3-13.


27. Racelis, A. D. (2013). Developing a Virtue Ethics Scale: Exploratory Survey of Philippine Managers. Asian Journal of Business and Accounting. Vol 6, No 1, pp15-37.


28. Rajaeepour, S., Karimi, N. & Navehebrahim, A. (2018). Designing and Validating a Model for the Function-based Performance Evaluation of Department chairs. Journal Managemnet System. Vol 9, No 33, pp 291-328. [In Persian].


29. Rashnavadi, A., Zarei Matin, H., Jandaghi, G. & Mehdi A. (2016). Model of Leadership based on Soft Power in Iranian Higher Education. Organizational Calture Management, Vol 14, No 3, pp 649-669. [In Persian].


30. Rego, A., Vitória, A., Magalhães, A. Ribeiro, N. & Cunha, M. P. (2013). Are authentic leaders associated with more virtuous, committed and potent teams? The Leadership Quarterly. Vol 24, pp 61-79.


31. Rego, P. Lopes, M, & Narscimento, J.L. (2016). Authentic leadership and organizational commitment: The mediating role of positive psychological capital. Journal of industrial Engineering and management. Vol 9, No 1, pp 129-151.


32. Rosari, R. (2019). Leadership Definitions Application For Lecturers Leadership Development. Journal of Leadership in Organizations Vol.1, No. 1, pp. 17-28


33. Scott, W. R. (1998). Organizations: rational, natural, and open systems. 4 Th Ed, Singapore, Prentice Hall.


34. Singh, D. & Stückelberger, C. (Eds.) (2017). Ethics in Higher Education: Values-driven Leaders for the Future. Geneva: Globethics.net.


35. Smith, E. S. (2013). Toward Organizational Environmental Virtuousness. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. Vol 49, No 1, pp 123-148.


36. Tripathy, M. (2109). The Power of Ethics: Rethinking Leadership Roles At workplaces. Multidisciplinary Journal for Education, Social and Technological Sciences, Vol 6, No 2, pp 134-146.


37. Wang, QL, (2011). A Conceotual and Empirical Investigation of Leader