Strategic leadership and self efficacy practices among school leaders of international schools in Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate if there is a significant relationship between Strategic Leadership characteristics and Self efficacy of Leaders of International schools in Kuala Lumpur. The study engaged the survey method in which data were collected through an adapted questionnaire using seven point likert scale. Data were collected from 21 International schools in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 159 school leaders (66 males and 86 females) participated in the study. The data were analyzed using frequencies, descriptive statistics and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The findings of the study revealed that school leaders of international schools in Kuala Lumpur possessed all the nine dimensions of Strategic Leadership. It also exhibited that the school leaders of International schools of Kuala Lumpur exercised quite a bit control over their leadership position as it revealed high perception level of self-efficacy. In addition, results of the correlation indicated that there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between Strategic Leadership characteristics and leaders’ Self efficacy characteristics. The scope of the study limited the research by restricting it to school leaders of International schools in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from that, the study also restricted its scope to the original nine dimensions of strategic leaders (five organizational capabilities and four individual characteristics of strategic leaders) by Davies (2004); Davies and Davies (2006); Davies and Davies (2009). Moreover, the study serves as a unique opportunity for further research exploring the strategic leadership qualities and self-efficacy of leaders which are essential to bring positive and effective reform in the school system. As many countries strive to improve and reform education system and improve students’ performance, a lot of challenges and issues are faced by the school leader. Therefore, this study confirmed that executing effective leadership style such as strategic leadership are important to cater for the need of change with both continuity and sustainability of the school system.