Leadership Capacity Research Articles

Ontstaan en groei van ’n seminarium aan die Fakulteit Teologie Stellenbosch en ander ontwikkelinge in die teologiese opleiding van die Ned Geref Kerk in die Sinode van Wes-Kaapland.

The article focuses on the developments of theological training in die Western Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) in the last decade. In this era a Seminary was founded to facilitate ministerial formation for the DRC; Uniting Reformed Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Africa (ELCSA). The article unpacks the historical, demographic, and especially pedagogical complexities of theological education that aims to build missional leadership capacities. The theology and missional ecclesiology, rhetorical pedagogy and capacity theories are some of the building blocks that the synod utilise to build a new era for theological education.

Initiating systemic capacity development for leadership from the bottom-up: a realist evaluation of a leadership innovation in a South African health district.

The need for leadership in and of district health systems is critical for the effective delivery of services and for inter-sectoral collaboration for health. Leadership capacity development has not, however, been prioritised within health systems and the systemic capacity (i.e. roles, structures, and processes) that is needed to develop managers who can lead is not always in place. This paper aims to contribute to understanding how to build such capacity, considering a relevant bottom-up innovation. We observed, in the period 2013 - 2015, the emergent implementation of this innovation (a 'Leadership Commission') in a South African health district. What started out as an effort to train individual leaders evolved into the development of systemic capacity for leadership capacity development (LCD). We adopted realist evaluation as the main methodological approach, as well as case study design; and we first developed a programme theory of the internally driven LCD initiative, through a round of interviews with senior managers. We then tested the programme theory drawing on fourteen in-depth interviews and field notes of meetings and processes. Our analysis suggests that building systemic capacity for LCD requires leadership to be expressed as a strategic priority by those with positional authority; and that bottom-up LCD requires institutional commitment through strengthening routine structures or creating new ones. The ability to leverage existing resources is another key element of systemic capacity. The mechanisms that enable bottom-up capacity development include tacit and experiential knowledge, sensemaking, systems thinking, and trust between, and motivation of, those tasked with leading LCD. Leadership development is constrained by increased workloads for those involved if the prioritisation of leadership becomes simply an additional task, and sustainability challenges are likely in the absence of additional resources for bottom-up innovation.

Knowing, Being and Becoming a Person-Centred Nurse Leader: Findings from a Transformative Professional Development Programme.

Background/Objectives Leadership is central to the development of effective workplace cultures and as such should be viewed as a practice that is relational, exercised through a process of mutual and reciprocal influence. Person-centred leadership is an approach to leadership that supports a way of being that is authentic, prioritising values lived out in action. However, there is an increasing recognition that leadership development has not been impactful in relation to workplace culture. This paper reports on the ongoing evaluation of an innovative development programme (Queen's Nurse Development Programme), the overall aim of which was to illuminate the participants' experiences of engaging in transformative learning and development and identify the technical and transformative outcomes arising. The programme focused on developing leadership capacity for societal change and maximising the health impact of community nursing leaders. Methods The methodological framework for evaluation was underpinned by a Collaborative Critical Creative Inquiry. Twenty community nurses were selected to undertake the programme during 2020. The collection and analysis of data was consistent with the Collaborative Critical Creative Inquiry and was conducted as a one-day workshop, with participants engaged in a cycle of creative hermeneutic analysis. Results A total of seven themes were identified, including: sense of belonging; personal growth; developing new skills; finding voice; importance of self-care; and creating a safe place. This illuminated how the transformative learning and development processes within this programme were experienced and how these enabled participants to explore how they influence their practice and workplace. It is the journey with self that generates a sense of belonging and enables personal growth and the ability to care for self and others. Conclusions The key learning from this innovative development programme is the importance of focusing on the attributes of practitioners and the key building blocks for knowing, being, and becoming a person-centred practitioner.

Application of the MENTOR model to advance One Health by promoting bat conservation and reducing zoonotic spillover risk

For few taxonomic groups do conservation efforts have such a disproportionate impact on biodiversity and human well-being as they do with bats. Bats face significant conservation challenges that affect their long-term viability, inhibit their ecosystem functions and services, and increase zoonotic spillover risks. Protecting bat populations and their habitats ultimately reduces these conservation threats, helps prevent pandemics, and supports essential ecosystem services. MENTOR-Bat is a fellowship program focused on strengthening technical research, and leadership capacity in the Global South to promote healthy environments where bats and humans can coexist with reduced risks of pathogen transmission. Co-designed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Bat Conservation International (BCI), MENTOR-Bat mirrors the One Health framework by featuring a transdisciplinary team of three mentors and nine fellows from Cameroon, Colombia, and Indonesia. Fellows and mentors receive academic and field-based training on bat ecology and conservation, One Health, human dimensions of conservation, behavior change, strategic communications, international policy, adaptive management, project planning, conservation leadership, and public health. Fellows will then design and implement team pilot projects to advance One Health and bat conservation in their respective countries. Program evaluation of MENTOR-Bat is based on Kirkpatrick’s Hierarchy and focuses on measuring the development of established One Health core competences. By incorporating One Health and conservation within its activities, MENTOR-Bat can become a valuable programmatic template for transdisciplinary programming advancing evidence-based strategies for improving the well-being of bats, humans, and the environment.

“A Failure. No One to Blame But Themselves”? The Media and the Abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission

ABSTRACT In 2004/5 the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was abolished after 15 years of operation. The longest running and most innovative representative body in the postwar era, its abolition has reverberated to this day. 1 1 ATSIC was one of several elected Indigenous representative bodies of the postwar period. However, it remains the most innovative because it was a statutory body that had both representative and administrative functions and a national commission with a network of regional councils. This model has not been replicated since. This article explores the role of the media in its abolition. It shows how the non-Indigenous media created an image of Indigenous dysfunction such that ATSIC’s abolition was understood as the only viable option. It did so by perpetuating untruths about Indigenous capacity for governance and leadership, suggesting that ATSIC’s alleged failure was self-inflicted. Such representation, including deeply offensive caricatures, worked to support government aims and amounted to institutional bullying. By situating this representation within the wider policy landscape, I show how the media not only created ideational frameworks necessary to project ATSIC as unfit but also helped to deflect attention from the government’s own non-accountability in this space. As a counterpoint to what became a dominant view about ATSIC, I recover the representation of its abolition in the Indigenous media, allowing Indigenous views to be heard for the first time. This case study is of critical importance in the context of today’s concern with both truth-telling and truth-denying.

Leadership Development and Capacity Building in Non-Profit Organizations in Senegal

The purpose of this research is to assess leadership development and capacity enhancement approaches within non-profit organizations (NPOs) of Senegal and evaluate how the application of participative, adaptive and transformational leadership improves the organizational performance of the NPOs in a condition of limited resources. Therefore, the study seeks to establish how leadership practice, culture and operations impact on the capacity and sustainability of NPOs to achieve their missions and goals. A qualitative research approach was used for the study through self-administered questionnaires or telephonic / face-to-face interviews with senior officials from different NPOs in Senegal. The collected data were coded systematically using the NVivo software so essential themes and patterns revealing the leadership and capacity building difficulties and practices were revealed. This type of methodology was chosen because the research was interpretive in nature, thus enabling the researcher to engage in a discussion of contextual practices of leadership in the non-profit. Accordingly, the study indicates that participatory leadership is cultural and operationally relevant in Senegal since it is endorsed by collective decision-making culture of the society. Thus, the concept of adaptive leadership became important to sustain the stability in organisations during the periods of volatility and change; and the concept of transformation leadership was deemed critical to achieve cultural congruence with the strategic, mission-oriented objectives. This paper also gives precaution on the issues connected with these leadership styles such as the fact that participatory leadership requires expert help to facilitate, adaptive leadership may lead to burnout.

Enhancing gender-responsive resilience: The critical role of women in disaster risk reduction in Oman

Successful disaster risk reduction (DRR) and preparedness require the active participation of all genders and age groups. However, gender roles and relations are often overlooked in disaster management. This study explores the critical role of women in enhancing gender-responsive resilience within DRR in Oman. It highlights existing gender disparities in DRR strategies and emphasizes the need for inclusive policies that leverage women's knowledge, leadership, and adaptive capacities. By examining Oman's experience with natural disasters (cyclones) and COVID-19, the research underscores the importance of integrating gender perspectives in DRR for more effective outcomes. Utilizing a quantitative survey and statistical analysis, the study investigates variables shaping women's participation in DRR, including knowledge, communication, experience, social protection, and voluntarism. Findings demonstrate the crucial role of women in enhancing disaster resilience and their potential in mitigating disaster risks effectively. Policy recommendations advocate for empowering women and promoting their active participation in DRR to strengthen community resilience and contribute to broader socio-economic development goals in Oman. This study calls on policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to support the pivotal role of women in building resilient societies and to adopt a more equitable approach to disaster management.

SMEs as Agents of Peace and Security: Insights from the 2023 YouthConnekt Africa Summit

This study examines the potential of youth-led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to contribute significantly to Africa’s peace and security agenda. Drawing on insights from the 2023 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, thepaper highlights the critical role that these enterprises can play in fostering peaceful engagement and addressing the root causes of conflict. By investing in youth leadership capacity, supporting youth-led initiatives, and creating safe spaces for dialogue, governments and stakeholders can leverage on the power of youth-led SMEs to promote positive peacebuilding outcomes. The study further identifies key areas for engagement, including contextual specificity, understanding the root causes of threats and opportunities, going beyond tokenism, andimplementing comprehensive national action plans on youth, peace, and security. While youth-led SMEs offer a promising avenue for peacebuilding. Further research is needed to understand their impact and developeffective strategies for supporting their growth and success.

Empowering change: A review of educational leadership dynamics in juvenile detention centers

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of education in juvenile detention centers (JDCs) while providing valuable insights for educational leaders to enhance education. Understanding the key barriers, including the lack of administrative support and the challenge of limited resource availability, underlines the significant role of educational leaders in overcoming these challenges for better results for the detained teens. Therefore, the primary focus of this article is to highlight the lack of administrative support as a major barrier to providing quality education in JDCs and offer insights for building an effective leadership capacity. Educational administrators in juvenile justice settings face unique problems that call for innovative and functional strategies to avert being ineffective leaders. The article will also bring to the forefront evidence based practices from two case studies representing successful educational programs in juvenile justice settings. This thorough review of the literature examines the critical levers that may enhance education in JDCs. Two fundamental questions guide this literature review: 1) What is the current state of education in juvenile facilities, and what challenges and best practices are evident? 2) How can educational leaders improve the academic and behavioral outcomes of the youth in JDCs?

Entrepreneurial Intention Among Management Students of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the factors influencing entrepreneurial intention among management students in Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, and explore key determinants such as personal attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and leadership capacity. Methods: Data were collected through surveys from 388 respondents out of 13093 management students analyzing their perceptions and intentions toward entrepreneurship through questionnaire methods using a five-point Likert scale method. The study used the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical framework. Results: The study reveals that positive personal attitudes and strong perceived behavioral control significantly enhance entrepreneurial intention while subjective norms and leadership capacity also play crucial roles. The study explores the importance of entrepreneurial education in shaping future entrepreneurs despite numerous challenges, including high interest rates and limited market opportunities. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for understanding how management students in a Nepalese context perceive and intend to engage in entrepreneurial activities to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets in emerging economies. The study highlights the need for the implementation of targeted policies and educational programs effectively to pave the way for creating conducive environment for entrepreneurship among students.

The Influence of Leadership Capacity on Organizational Commitment in Rural Development Areas and the Mediating Effect of Sense of Calling

The Influence of Leadership Capacity on Organizational Commitment in Rural Development Areas and the Mediating Effect of Sense of Calling

Peer-led self-advocacy for people with intellectual disability through the lens of “freedom through encounter”

ABSTRACT Background A peer-led self-advocacy group, Our Voice SA, is used as a case study to explore how the social engagement of people with intellectual disability contributed to their self-advocacy about things that are important to them. Method Secondary analyses of data (interviews, observations and program data) were thematically analysed using Clifford Simplican’s analytical lens of “freedom through encounter”. Results Social engagement encounters in peer-led self-advocacy led to individual and group agency for freedom. The findings explore becoming known, seen, and heard; freedom to express what matters; and unfreedom: silencing self-advocacy. Conclusion A “freedom through encounter” lens is a useful perspective on how people navigate social inclusion to participate and challenge expectations. Allies were critical for overcoming structural, interdependent barriers, and supporting capacity for leadership and rights awareness that helped elevate the confidence and skills of people with intellectual disability to speak up.

Sinergi Efektif Karang Taruna dan Masyarakat dalam Mewujudkan Desa Tumbuan Yang Maju

This service aims to analyse the role of Karang Taruna in supporting village development, particularly in the context of community empowerment and welfare improvement. The case study was conducted in Tumbuan Village with a focus on the synergy between Karang Taruna, the community, and the village government. Through various activities, such as leadership training, community-based economic development, and environmental conservation, Karang Taruna has successfully increased the leadership capacity of its members, increased community income, and improved environmental awareness. However, this Service also identified several challenges faced, such as limited resources and differences in views between generations. The results of this service show that synergy between Karang Taruna and the community is key in achieving sustainable village development. This success can be a model for other villages that want to develop their local potential

A Model for Enhancing Leadership Competencies for Students in Communication Engineering Majors at Universities in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China

Background and Aims: The subject of leadership competencies is well-documented in the broader educational literature. Numerous studies underscore the importance of leadership competencies for university graduates, elucidating the significant impact these competencies have on career progression, personal growth, and the ability to contribute effectively to the organizational and societal context. This research aims to explore this underrepresented territory. This research endeavors to develop a comprehensive and robust model designed explicitly for building student leadership competencies in communication engineering. Methodology: In the evolving landscape of higher education, leadership competencies are increasingly recognized as vital for the professional success of graduates. This study sought to develop and validate a model specifically designed to enhance the leadership competencies of communication engineering students in universities located in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China. Methodology: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study encompassed a survey of 2003 students across five universities, with a substantial response rate yielding 831 questionnaires. The instruments used for data collection were a structured questionnaire and a Model Validation form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, such as mean, frequency, percentage, and the PNIModified analytical tool. Results: Results indicated a moderate Mean PNIModified value of 0.363 across the leadership competencies evaluated. Competencies requiring immediate attention due to their higher-than-average PNIModified values included adaptability (0.541), conflict resolution (0.478), self-awareness and emotional intelligence (0.442), and communication (0.367). These areas were identified as the primary weaknesses in the student body’s leadership profiles. In contrast, competencies such as teamwork and collaboration (0.116), social responsibility (0.293), and commitment (0.307) were recognized as strengths, with PNIModified values below the mean. The study considered many factors impacting leadership development, including the learning environment, experiential and practical opportunities, self-reflective practices, educational support, and the cultivation of teamwork and interpersonal skills. The research also considered elements influencing leadership competencies, such as engagement in activities, pedagogical methods, learning settings, critical thinking exercises, professional mentorship, and assessment strategies. Following expert consultation and iterative refinement, the study proposes a model comprising four extracurricular initiatives to bolster the underdeveloped leadership competencies. This model aspires to serve as a strategic blueprint for nurturing leadership capacities within the communication engineering student demographic in Xiamen City, thereby equipping them with the skills essential for their future roles in the workforce. Conclusion: The study reveals a varied profile of leadership skills among Xiamen City communication engineering students, emphasizing the need to address immediate deficiencies in communication, self-awareness, conflict resolution, and adaptability. It seeks to improve these competencies by putting forth a customized model, guaranteeing that students are prepared for jobs in the workforce in the future.

Collective response capacity: Developing crisis leadership in organisations

AbstractHow can crisis leadership be developed before an organisational crisis occurs? This article addresses this important question by reviewing three individual‐level leadership perspectives (leader personality traits, leadership styles, and functional leadership) and three organisational level perspectives (leadership as contextual, leadership as collective, and leadership as dynamic), on how to develop crisis leadership with regard to recruitment, selection, and training. While crisis leadership is often perceived as something individual “leaders are born with” or as a variant of general leadership abilities, such an understanding leaves much to chance in terms of who will be effective leaders in a crisis, as well as the development of leadership capacity in organisations before a crisis actually occurs. This passive approach not only contradicts research on what constitutes effective crisis leadership but also is perceived to be unethical in terms of the potential consequences ineffective leadership can have in a crisis. This article provides an integrative overview of current and hitherto dispersed crisis leadership development research, showing how recruitment, selection and training to achieve collective crisis leadership capacity encompasses switching between organisational and individual level perspectives. We suggest implications for theory and future research as well as for practitioners responsible for developing crisis leadership in organisations.

Legal Policy Recommendations for Fostering Green Business Development: A Case Study of Enterprises in Vietnam

Green growth is one of the development trends many countries worldwide aim for Vietnam; green growth is also gradually becoming inevitable. However, businesses are among the critical subjects contributing to green growth and are still not interested in this trend. Objective: The article aimed to identify the key factors affecting green business development and proposed legal policy implications for green business development. Methodology: The author applied quality and quantitative methods; based on the study goal, the author surveyed 800 managers of green enterprises in five provinces and three cities in Vietnam and used structural equation modelling based on the quantitative research method. Result: The findings explored five critical factors affecting green business development: (1) financial capacity, (2) corporate culture, (3) leadership and business management capacity, (4) mechanisms and policies of the government and localities, and (5) the interaction of components in the business ecosystem. This comprehensive set of recommendations provides a strategic roadmap for Vietnam to foster green business development through effective legal policies. Conclusion: The article's contributions proposed recommendations to management agencies in developing and implementing mechanisms and policies to support and promote businesses to build in a green direction. Implementing these legal policy recommendations can significantly enhance the development of green enterprises in Vietnam. Unique Contribution: The novelty of this study was to supplement and complete the system of criteria for evaluating green business development, which is also the basis for businesses to recognize the effectiveness of current activities. Key Recommendation: From the above results, the author proposed to establish green financing programs, including low-interest loans, grants, and subsidies for green business initiatives to make improvements in each stage of the production process to increase efficiency while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

Improving the Quality of Human Resources in Villages Through Empowerment and Managerial Training Programs

This Community Service (PKM) activity aims to improve the quality of human resources in the village through empowerment programs and managerial training that are carried out online. This training focuses on three main aspects: leadership, financial management, and natural resource management. Thirty-five village officials and MSME managers participated in this training through the Zoom application for four sessions. The methods include material presentations, interactive discussions, case simulations, and post-training assistance via WhatsApp and follow-up webinars. The evaluation results showed that 75% of the participants experienced an improvement in managerial skills, especially in decision-making and financial management. In addition, participants' satisfaction with the training reached 85%, with a positive response to how the material was delivered and the relevance of the topic to the needs of the village community. Constraints such as limited internet access are overcome by providing session recordings and modules that can be accessed offline. This program fills the gap from previous research by focusing on economic aspects, leadership capacity building, and sustainable management of natural resources. The online approach in this training has proven to be effective in answering the needs of village communities and bridging geographical and technological limitations, which supports more competitive village development

Assessment of Hospital Managers' Sustainable Leadership Levels

This study aims to evaluate the sustainable leadership levels of hospital managers with the participation of healthcare professionals working in public hospitals in Bitlis province. The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on 354 healthcare professionals and the information form and Sustainable Management Behaviors Scale were used as data collection tools. The demographic analysis of the study shows that the majority of the participants are male, under the age of 30 and have a bachelor's degree. In terms of occupational groups, it was observed that other health personnel and nurses were predominant. The findings revealed that the participants generally evaluated the sustainable leadership behaviors of the managers at a level above medium. Especially environmental sensitivity and conservation sensitivity dimensions have high mean values. Nurses were found to have the most negative opinions about managers' sustainable leadership levels, while administrative staff had the most positive opinions. It was determined that positive perceptions were higher for managers who are experienced, act in accordance with ethical principles and adopt the philosophy of continuous learning. The study draws attention to the importance of sustainable leadership practices in the healthcare sector and offers strategic recommendations to increase the leadership capacity of hospital managers.

Integrating culturally relevant leadership learning into the leadership learning framework.

By incorporating the culturally relevant leadership learning model (CRLL) into the leadership learning framework (LLF), this article provides leadership educators with an inclusive approach to leadership learning. The authors illustrate how educators can integrate the five dimensions of campus climate into leadership knowledge, observation, development, training, engagement, and metacognition. We describe practical ways to address leadership identity, efficacy, and capacity development for all college students, especially those belonging to traditionally underserved identities. Finally, the authors present a new visual for integrating CRLL into the LLF-a kaleidoscope leadership learning model.

Preventing the re-establishment of malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka: implications for health security

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic—with its first reported case in Sri Lanka in March 2020—had the potential to impact the risk of re-establishing malaria, a disease which was eliminated from Sri Lanka in 2012. Post-elimination, the country remains highly vulnerable to a return of malaria on account of high vector mosquito densities and the inflow of imported malaria cases.MethodsParallels between COVID-19 and malaria after its elimination as health security threats were drawn, and the many ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the prevention of re-establishment of malaria programmes in the country in 2020 were examined. The implications of this experience for global health security are analysed.ResultsIn 2020, imported malaria cases were fewer than in the previous 3 years, due to restrictions on international travel. Yet, a high level of malaria case and entomological surveillance was sustained through surveillance strategies modified to focus on quarantine centers, in response to the pandemic. As a result, more imported malaria cases were detected by active case detection than by passive surveillance. Some of the operational shifts adopted by the Anti Malaria Campaign were moving rapidly into functioning as an intersectoral player by reinforcing its collaborations with the Ministries of Aviation and Defense, switching to the use of online communication systems, and integrating and synergizing its field activities with the COVID-19 control programme.ConclusionsThe experience highlights the need for disease control programmes to be agile, flexible and responsive, and underscores the importance of maintaining even a lean focal programme for diseases such as malaria after they have been eliminated. Sustaining public health leadership and robust technological capacities in communication and data management were paramount in preventing the disruption of the malaria prevention programme during the pandemic and sustaining the malaria-free status of the country.