The Mediating Role of Transformational Leadership in the Relationship between Strategic Planning and Institutional Excellence: An Analytical Study in Libyan Universities

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the mediating role of transformational leadership in the relationship between strategic planning and institutional excellence in Libyan universities, in light of the challenges facing higher education institutions and their pursuit of quality and institutional excellence. The study adopted the descriptive correlational explanatory method and was based on a theoretical framework that addressed the concepts of strategic planning, transformational leadership, institutional excellence, and the interrelationships among them. A questionnaire was developed to measure the study variables and was administered to a sample of academic and administrative leaders in several Libyan public universities. The study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares method (PLS-SEM) to test the direct and indirect relationships among the variables, in addition to the bootstrapping technique to verify the significance of the mediating effect. The results revealed a positive direct effect of strategic planning on institutional excellence, as well as a strong effect of strategic planning on transformational leadership, and a direct effect of transformational leadership on institutional excellence. The findings also confirmed a partial mediating role of transformational leadership, with statistical significance, in the relationship between strategic planning and institutional excellence, indicating that the effectiveness of strategic planning in achieving institutional excellence increases when effective transformational leadership practices are present within the university. The study recommends the development of programs for preparing university leaders, strengthening the adoption of transformational leadership practices, and linking strategic planning to effective implementation and monitoring mechanisms that contribute to achieving sustainable institutional excellence.