Validation of the Transformational Leadership Model in Islamic Azad University
Keywords:
Transformational Leadership, Higher Education, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Islamic Azad UniversityAbstract
This study aimed to empirically validate a context-specific transformational leadership model for the Islamic Azad University using confirmatory factor analysis. A descriptive–survey design was employed on the population of faculty members and staff of the Islamic Azad University, from which 384 participants were selected based on the Krejcie and Morgan table; data were collected through a 219-item researcher-developed questionnaire with confirmed content validity and acceptable Cronbach’s alpha reliability, and the hypothesized model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS 23. Second-order CFA indicated strong model fit (CFI=0.935, IFI=0.964, RMSEA=0.061, χ²/df≈2.10), with all causal, contextual, intervening, strategic, and outcome constructs showing statistically significant loadings; the highest loading emerged for human resources enhancement within the strategic dimension (0.95) and for organizational outcomes within the consequences dimension (0.94). The validated model demonstrates robust structural validity and provides a strategic framework for leadership development and policy formulation within the Islamic Azad University system.
Downloads
References
Afsar, B., Bin Saeed, B., Shahjehan, A., & Shah, S. I. (2020). Does transformational leadership foster innovative work behavior? Economic Research, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2018.1556108
Afsar, B., Maqsoom, A., Shahjehan, A., Afridi, S. A., Nawaz, A., & Fazliani, H. (2020). Responsible leadership and employee's pro-environmental behavior: The role of organizational commitment, green shared vision, and internal environmental locus of control. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(1), 297-312. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1806
Aftab, J., Sarwar, H., & et al. (2023). Do transformational leadership and work engagement matter for job performance in luxury hotels? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 6(5), 1818-1839. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-05-2022-0208
Ali, S. H. K., Khan, N. S., & Yildiz, Y. (2020). Leadership effects on CSR employee, media, customer, and NGOs. Management and Economics Research Journal, 6. https://doi.org/10.18639/MERJ.2020.961566
Amiri, F., Zakari, F., & Salari, Z. (2021). Examining the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior. Ormazd Research Journal, 54(Suppl. 2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387669028_Examining_the_Relationship_Between_Transformational_Leadership_and_Employee_Voice_Behavior_A_Mixed-_Methods_Approach
Arasteh, H. R. (2003). The role of higher education in Iran's 2025 development vision. A New Approach to Educational Management, 13(31). https://rahyaft.nrisp.ac.ir/article_13358.html
Arnold, R. (1985). The strategies for taking charge. NASSP Bulletin Leaders. https://www.amazon.com/Leaders-Strategies-Taking-Warren-Bennis/dp/006015246X
Asgarnajad Nouri, B., Abbasgholizadeh, N., Eliki, F., & Nemati. (2021). The effect of transformational leadership style on organizational happiness. Health and Hygiene, 12. https://irjems.org/Volume-3-Issue-7/IRJEMS-V3I7P123.pdf
Aslan-Zadeh, H., & Mojtaba-Zadeh, M. (2022). Designing and validating an innovative model of transformational leadership in secondary schools using a qualitative approach.
Azim, M. T., Fan, L., Uddin, M. A., Jilani, M. M. A. K., & Begum, S. (2019). Linking transformational leadership with employees' engagement in the creative process. Management Research Review, 42(7), 837-858. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-08-2018-0286
Azimi Motlagh, S., & Attaei, M. (2021). Transformational leadership. Scientific Journal of Modern Research Approaches in Management and Accounting, 5(19). https://majournal.ir/
Bagheri, M., Hanifi, F., & Imani, M. T. (2021). Presenting a conceptual model of transformational leadership among elementary school principals in Tehran. Jundishapur Education Development, 12(Special Issue), 327-338. https://edj.ajums.ac.ir/article_138928.html?lang=en
Bakker, A. B. (2023). Daily transformational leadership: A source of inspiration for follower performance? European Management Journal, 41(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2022.04.004
Battilana, J., Yen, J., & Ferreras, I. (2022). Democratizing work. Organization Theory, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/26317877221084714
Boroumand, H., Vandad, A., Akbari, A., & Fallah, T. (2023). Presenting a transformational leadership model based on supportive leadership. Quarterly Journal of Management and Leadership Studies in Educational Organizations, 3(1). https://mlseojournal.ctb.iau.ir/article_701482.html?lang=en
Chen, Q. (2023). Mental health as a mediator of transformational leadership. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 8. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v8i.4660
Dehghan, M., Moqar, M., & Hosseini, A. (2021). Examining the effect of transformational leadership on innovative behavior. Journal of Initiative and Creativity in Humanities, 10(4). https://civilica.com/doc/2098985/
Deng, C., Gulseren, D., & et al. (2023). Transformational leadership effectiveness: An evidence-based primer. Human Resource Development International, 26(5). https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2022.2135938
Haghparast, R., Ghasemi, S. R., Khodaeian, S., & Zekavat, N. (2023). The relationship between transformational leadership and participative management. Quarterly Journal of New Ideas in Educational Research, 2(1). https://elmnet.ir/article/10851465-29285
Harasis, A., Helalat, A., & et al. (2024). Linking transformational leadership and green innovation via employee performance. ECONOMICS: Innovative and Economics Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2024-0045
Helalat, A., Sharari, H., & et al. (2025). Transformational leadership and employee performance: A further insight using work engagement. Economics, 13. https://doi.org/10.2478/eoik-2025-0015
Liden, R. C., Wang, X., & Wang, Y. (2025). The evolution of leadership. Journal of Business Research, 186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.115036
Lin, Q. (2023). Transformational leadership and innovative work behavior. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2023.103521
Loghmani, T., & Hosseini, M. S. (2024). Examining the relationship between transformational leadership, social responsibility, and organizational commitment. Journal of New Thinking in Education and Learning. https://www.nteljournal.ir/article_209002.html
Mashayekh Momeni, A. (2023). The impact of transformational leadership on employee performance through knowledge and innovation. Scientific Journal of Modern Research Approaches in Management and Accounting, 7(24). https://majournal.ir/index.php/ma/article/view/1952
Pazhoohan, A., Bahavar, S., & Malekpour, Z. (2024). Analyzing the influence of transformational leadership style on organizational entrepreneurship. Journal of Public Management Research, 17(63). https://jmr.usb.ac.ir/article_8206.html
Rabiei Faradanbeh, N., Moqtadaei, M., & Jamshidian, A. (2021). The relationship between transformational leadership and job engagement. Journal of Initiative and Creativity in Humanities, 43. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1032691/fa
Viseh, H., Vandad, A., Akbari, A., & Fallah, T. (2023). Presenting a transformational leadership model based on supportive leadership. Quarterly Journal of Management and Leadership Studies in Educational Organizations, 3(1). https://mlseojournal.ctb.iau.ir/article_701482.html?lang=en
Viseh, S. M., Fazelpour, F., & Najafzadeh, V. (2022). Explaining and analyzing the components of transformational leadership with a religious approach in the Islamic university. Journal of Culture in the Islamic University, 12(3). https://ciu.nahad.ir/article_955.html
Yazdani, P., Shirazi, A., Rahimnia, F., & Mortazavi, S. (2023). Designing a global transformational leadership model based on a competency-based approach. Quarterly Journal of Iranian Public Management Studies, 6. https://www.jipas.ir/article_183295.html
Yazdani, P., Shirazi, A., Rahimnia, F., & Mortazavi, S. (2024). Expected outcomes of global transformational leadership. Management Research in Iran, 28(2). https://journals.modares.ac.ir/article_651.html
