A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of trends in higher education leadership in the Global South, 2013-2023: Contemporary perspectives and developments

Abstract

Leadership in higher education institutions (HEIs) is crucial in shaping their strategic direction, performance, and overall success. Although scholarly exploration into leadership attributes in higher education (HE) has been expanding over the years, the predominant focus of these studies has been on the Global North, with a noticeable scarcity of literature addressing leadership trends in HEIs of the Global South. This systematic literature review (SLR) addresses the research gap by providing a critical examination of HE leadership trends in the Global South, reviewing literature from 2013 to 2023 based on PRISMA 2020. Following a preliminary search that identified 1653 articles and three screening phases, 32 articles were selected for analysis. Key findings highlight the unique challenges faced by HEIs in the Global South in developing HE leadership. Furthermore, the findings reveal a predominance of transformational leadership style. The findings also indicate a significant interplay between gender and leadership styles as well as the attributes of effective HE leadership in the Global South. The study offers valuable insights for stakeholders, highlighting the necessity for tailored leadership development interventions that address the unique contexts of these regions.