Factors Influencing Transcendent leadership in Educational Organizations: A Ground Theory Approach
Akhlāq-i zīstī i.e., Bioethics Journal,
Vol. 16 No. 41 (1405),
19 June 2026
,
Page 1-12
https://doi.org/10.22037/bioeth.v16i41.52010
Abstract
Background and Aim: Today, the country’s schools need leaders who seek transformation, promote creativity and innovation, and at the same time are grounded in ethical principles. Such leaders should be able, through self-improvement and the continuous enhancement of organizational processes, to develop strategies for turning challenges into opportunities. The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the factors influencing excellence-oriented leadership in educational organizations using a grounded theory approach.
Methods: This applied study was conducted using the Strauss–Corbin grounded theory approach. Participants were selected through purposive sampling followed by the snowball sampling method. The primary source of data collection was semi-structured interviews with 6 faculty members who were experts in the field of educational sciences in Ardabil Province and 10 experienced school administrators in the city of Ardabil. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was reached, and a total of 16 interviews were conducted.
Ethical Considerations: The confidentiality of the interviewees’ information and identities was fully maintained, and the data were used solely for scientific and research purposes. In addition, the authenticity of the sources and integrity in reporting the findings were duly observed.
Findings: Following data collection, the interview transcripts were analyzed using a systematic coding procedure. The three stages of open, axial, and selective coding were employed. The findings revealed that the factors influencing leadership in the country’s educational organizations (schools) were represented by 131 extracted codes and could be classified into five main categories: individual growth factors, organizational and strategic factors, follower empowerment and agency-enhancing factors, environmental and social factors, and outcomes.
Conclusion: The application of excellence-oriented leadership and its components in educational organizations is an undeniable necessity for promoting transformation, creativity, and ethical orientation, particularly in light of the ultimate goals of the country’s educational system. To this end, educational authorities should adopt an excellence-oriented leadership approach and transform the existing managerial path, which is largely shaped by the bureaucratic structure governing the education system, toward models characterized by excellence-seeking, transformational orientation, creativity, and ultimately ethical leadership. Such a shift can enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness and ultimately contribute to sustainable organizational development.
- Leadership
- Transcendent Leadership
- Educational Organizations
- Excellent Organizations
How to Cite
References
1. Shayesteh Nia P, Shafizadeh H, Soleimani N. Identifying the dimensions and components of the school and society link pattern based on grounded theory. Journal of Sociology of Education. 2022; 7(2): 395-405. [Persian]
2. Barkhoda J, Amini A. An analysis of the challenges of visionary leadership in secondary schools. J New Approaches Educ Adm. 2022; 13(4): 1-21. [Persian]
3. Rahmani N. Identify the Factors Affecting Wisdom-based Leadership in Schools, Quarterly Journal of New Thoughts on Education, 2021; 17(2): 153-177. [Persian]
4. Sabanal GC, Guhao ES Jr. Transcendental leadership, servant leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors: a path model on school effectiveness in public schools. Int J Novel Res Dev. 2024; 9(5): a133-a155.
5. Bataineh O, Al-Zoubi Z, Issa HB, Al-Alwan A, Qablan A, Alkaabi A, Al-Taneiji S, Alhosani M. Transcendental leadership among academic department heads and its relationship with faculty members' self-management level. Educ Process Int J. 2025; 16: e2025231.
6. Riaz S. Transcendental leadership and performance: role of workplace spirituality and corporate social responsibility. J Compr Bus Adm Res. 2024; 1(1): 27-35.
7. Ghanbari S, Heidari N, Abdolmaleki J. The role of principals 'ethical leadership in school organizational excellence mediated by teachers' psychological empowerment, Journal of School administration, 2021; 9(2): 73-98. [Persian]
8. Hsieh CC. Constructing the Scale of Transcendent Leadership for Junior High School Principals. [Master’s thesis]. 2022.
9. Srichaiwong P, Jedaman P, Teemueangsa S, Wongsa K, Jongmuanwai B, Darae P. Characteristics of transcendental leadership in managing educational organizations for sustainability. Int J Innov Sci Res Technol. 2020; 5: 597.
10. Taghvaee Yazdi M. The relationship between knowledge management and organizational excellence and organizational innovation in school principals, JMLSE, 2021; 1(1): 34-44. [Persian]
11. Boskabadi F, Mohammadi M, Rezaiefar H, Mahmoodzadeh M. Presentation of excellence-oriented leadership model in medical sciences universities of the country (using the qualitative technique of thematic analysis), JDSRM, 2024; 2(6), 13-26. [Persian]
12. Mousavi Siah Deleh S, Jabbari Asl S, Rezvani Chaman Zamin M. Identification and leveling of factors affecting the acceptance of excellence model in Islamic Azad University. J Manag Educ Perspect. 2024; 6(1): 231-258. [Persian]
13. Sepahvand M, Omidian M, Shehni Yailagh M, Maktabi G. The effect of school principals’ ethical leadership and school culture on teachers’ innovative work behaviors with the mediation of psychological safety. J Psychol Res Manag. 2024; 10(2): 121-149.
14. Lopez-Palomino R, Mendoza-Gomez J, Segovia-Romo A. Transcendental leadership: the path for true leaders. Laredo (TX): Texas A&M International University, Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade; 2022. Working Paper No. WP-2022-002.
15. Kausar S, Arif M, Sebgag S. Transformational Leadership and the Challenges of Educational Digitalization: A Systematic Literature Review (2020-2025). Nidhomul Haq: J-MPI. 2025; 10(2), 312-332.
16. Al-Waalani A, Al-Shamrani H. The transcendental leadership of public education school leaders and its relationship to organizational justice. Arab Stud Educ Psychol. 2022; 8(43): 257-286.
17. Shadid R, Makhamra KK. Indicators of transcendent leadership among educational supervisors in the Directorate of Education in Tulkarm from teachers' perspectives: a qualitative study. Social Empowerment Journal. 2025; 7(2): 3-25.
18. Barr TL, Nathenson SL. A holistic transcendental leadership model for enhancing innovation, creativity and well-being in health care. J Holist Nurs. 2022; 40(2): 157-168.
19. Chien WC, Hsieh CC. Constructing the scale of transcendent leadership for junior high school principals. In: The Asian Conference on Education 2023: Official Conference Proceedings. 2024: 913-923.
20. Wongphraram S, Ngamkanok S. The transcendental leadership of school administrators in Chonburi province under the Second Educational Service Area Office Chonburi Rayong. 2025.
21. Obeidat BF, AlKhaza'leh MS, Hadi SA, Elyat MNI, Mustafa MB. Examining transcendent leadership practices: perspectives of public-school principals in Amman as perceived by teachers. J Educ Soc Res. 2024; 14(3): 16-25.
22. Boskabadi F, Mohammadi M, Rezaiefar H, Mahmoodzadeh M. Identification of transformational leadership components and determination of their importance in universities of medical science. Journal of Management and Leadership Studies in Educational Organizations. 2024; 3(4): 4. [Persian]
23. Ajmal M, Rahat W, Islam A. Enhancing affective commitment through transcendental leadership: unveiling the influence of altruistic mindset and intrinsic motivation in higher education. Int J Leadersh Educ. 2024:1-27.
24. Bataineh O, Al-Zoubi Z, Issa HB, Al-Alwan A, Qablan A, Alkaabi A, Alhosani M. Transcendental Leadership among Academic Department Heads and Its Relationship with Faculty Members' Self-Management Level. Educ Process: Int J. 2025; 16.
25. Bernnen L, Roberts G. Transcendent leadership and organizational trust: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Business Ethics. 2022; 179(2): 401-415.
26. Strauss A, Corbin J. Basics of qualitative research: techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. 3rd ed. Translated by: Dehghan Nayari N, Fakhr Movahedi A, Esmaili M, Sadeghi T, Tayebi Z. Tehran: Andisheh Rafi Publications; 2008.
27. Taghavi H, Javidpoor M, Kazemi S, Adamiyat H. Designing a Lean Leadership Model in the Country's Higher Education System with a Grounded Theory Approach. Bioethics J. 2025; 15(40):10. [Persian]
28. Moradi A, Ahmadi K, Moosavijad SM, Ahmadi F. Investigating the relationship between human resource empowerment approaches and effectiveness of human resource empowerment process based on neuroscience analysis in Kurdistan government organizations. J Behav Stud Manag. 2025; 16(41): 126-152. [Persian]
29. Rahiminezhad M, Moradi S, Faghiharam B, Kiyoumarsi F. Designing and Accreditation the Training Program Model of Human Resources of Education of Qazvin Province. J New Approaches Educ Adm. 2024; 15(3): 98-111. [Persian]
30. Ashrafi H, Faghiharam B, Khorshidi A, Moradi S, Sharifian L. Analysis of Factors Affecting Organizational Excellence Management in order to Evaluate the Performance of Public Schools (Case Study: Tehran Secondary School). J New Approaches Educ Adm. 2023; 14(3): 159-169. [Persian]
31. Crum AA. An exploration of how teacher leaders perceive their influence on student learning: a transcendental phenomenology of the experiences of teacher leaders [doctoral dissertation]. Lynchburg (VA): Liberty University; 2024.
32. Afrati M, Taghvaee Yazdi M. Investigating the relationship between empowerment components and the intellectual capital of education managers, Journal of Academic Management, 2023; 2(2): 49-75. [Persian]
33. Ghanadanzadeh M, Ganjali A, Golchin S. Analyzing the Dimensions of Alavi’s Transcendental Leadership Model’s Based on Nahj ol-Balaghah: Development of Transformational Leadership Theory with Islamic Management Approach, Scientific Journal of Islamic Management. 2022; 30(2): 63-103. [Persian]
- Abstract Viewed: 60 times
- PDF (فارسی) Downloaded: 39 times