Middle-level administrative leadership to lead Thai original public autonomous universities toward excellence

Abstract

This research article reported the results of a study on the administrative leadership process as it exists among the middle-level administrators of three original public autonomous universities in Thailand, related to leading the universities toward world class excellence. The study used a case study and grounded theory approach. The setting involved theoretical sampling that was used to identify 18 participants who were working as middle-level administrators at the three Thai original public autonomous universities. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and document analysis. The data analysis was based on within-case analysis, followed by cross-case analysis of the interview transcripts. The findings are presented in sixteen conceptual categories related to the administrative leadership qualities that enhanced their university to excellence from the middle-level administrators’ perspectives. The findings are summarized into four major categories: (1)The fundamentals of administration towards excellence of faculty and university; (2) the elements of administrative leadership procedure towards faculty excellence; (3) administrator’s leadership skills towards the excellence of faculty; and (4) the procedure of instructor development. This study makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of administrative leadership of a university that contributes to achieving world class statusy, which is useful for policy makers, institutions, and individuals. It is especially important for the middle-level administrators who use the administrative leadership values to support its organization development, the appropriate administrative leadership process that contributes to the success of enhancing university toward world class excellence. Moreover, it also makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of the important role that deans play in Thai original public autonomous universities and, finally, it revealed the benefits for higher education development, as well as for the national human resource development (HRD).