PRACTICING IMAGINATIVE LEADERSHIP AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF PALESTINE UNIVERSITY: AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ON ACADEMIC LEADERS

Abstract

The research aimed to examine the impact of imaginative leadership on the competitive advantage of universities in Palestine. To achieve this, data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 200 university leaders, selected through purposive sampling. A cross-sectional research design and quantitative approach were employed. The regression analysis revealed a positive and significant influence of the dimensions of imaginative leadership—namely, flexibility and adaptation, motivation and inspiration, empowerment and delegation, and effective communication—on the competitive advantage of Palestinian universities. This study contributes to the understanding of imaginative leadership and its impact on competitive advantage within the context of Palestinian universities, marking it as a pioneering investigation. From a practical perspective, the findings suggest that university leaders should focus on fostering and applying these leadership dimensions to enhance institutional performance and competitiveness, potentially resulting in more resilient and innovative academic environments. The study offers several recommendations, including the continued practice of imaginative leadership as a primary leadership style and the enhancement of training for employees in various roles to effectively utilize imaginative leadership.