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

Abstract

ABSTRACT This 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.