2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Navigating Leadership Styles in Higher Education: Implications for Governance and Effectiveness in Chile

Presented at Smarter Strategies: Evolving Tools for Engineering Management Excellence

The governance and leadership of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) operate within three predominant organizational models: mechanistic, organic, and anthropological. The effectiveness of HEIs depends on the proper application of these models, as misalignments can lead to governance deficiencies and institutional inefficiencies. This study explores the leadership roles of deans and academic unit directors, focusing on their functions in aligning organizational processes with institutional goals through purpose formulation, communication, and motivation. The research questions that guide this study are:
• What leadership styles are prevalent in the governance of university organizations?
• How does the type of leadership impact on the institution's stakeholders?
• What are effective educational leader's requisite characteristics and moral attributes?
Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study investigates the perspectives of mid-level university administrators in both public and private HEIs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with deans, directors, and academic leaders to examine prevalent leadership styles, their impact on institutional stakeholders, and the characteristics of effective educational leaders. Findings indicate that leadership quality significantly influences governance effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and institutional culture. Public and private universities exhibit distinct governance models, impacting decision-making processes and leadership execution. The study also underscores the importance of adaptive leadership approaches that balance strategic objectives with operational realities. Effective leaders cultivate collaborative environments, uphold ethical principles, and foster institutional resilience. This research highlights the interconnectedness of leadership styles, governance structures, and educational outcomes, offering insights into how HEIs can enhance leadership development and institutional effectiveness. The findings contribute to academic discourse and provide practical recommendations for fostering leadership excellence in higher education, ensuring sustainable governance and positive societal impact.

Authors

Dr. Manuel Vicuña Universidad Andres Bello, Concepcion, Chile [biography]

Doctor's degree in Governance and Culture of Organizations from the University of Navarra. Has completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies with the purpose of perfecting and broadening his professional knowledge and skills in subjects such as engineering, social sciences and humanities pursued, in chilean and foreign universities. The above interdisciplinary approach contributes in conceiving the work of managers in organizations as an opportunity to display moral virtues. This dimension -together with managing, business techniques and economics-, constitutes the foundation for having the leadership capacity to develop his institucional management activity. During his university career performs a close relationship related to the administration of human resources, budget, planning and development of academic and administrative projects, emphasizing the creation of a working environment for his officials to deliver the best of their capabilities. The teaching performance work has motivated his contribution to the community so that as too individual to achieve his own development. In this area, he responsible for carrying out educational activities mainly associated with academic management. As Director of Program, he has created a wide network of links with the maritime-port industry, which means has reinforcing the presence of the Merchant Marine Engineering degree program and our University, up to a national and international level.
Prof. Angeles Dominguez http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6066-355X Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterey, Mexico (ITESM); Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile (UNAB) [biography]

Angeles Dominguez is a researcher at the Institute for the Future of Education at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico. She also collaborates with the School of Engineering at the Universidad Andres Bello in Santiago, Chile. Angeles holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey and a doctoral degree in Mathematics Education from Syracuse University, NY. For her research, she is Researchers’ National System in Mexico (Level 2), Associate Editor of the Ibero-American Journal of Learning Technologies (IEEE-RITA), and a guest editor for the journals Education Sciences, Frontiers in Education, and Discover Sustainability. Her main research areas are: interdisciplinarity in science, gender studies in STEM, and faculty development. Due to her interest in women's participation in science, she has been a mentor in several programs, received the Mentor in Science distinction from the British Council Mexico, and coordinates mentoring program at the Tecnologico de Monterrey and at Universidad Andres Bello. Angeles leads projects on gender studies in STEM, mathematical and interdisciplinary modeling, and teacher training.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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