Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era

Previous studies have demonstrated the significance of leadership training for the professional growth of academics. In the Digital Era, where technological advancements and new learning environments are transforming leadership development, this study seeks to explore whether and how academics’ lead...

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Main Authors: Zhao Cheng, Chang Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/3/369
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author Zhao Cheng
Chang Zhu
author_facet Zhao Cheng
Chang Zhu
author_sort Zhao Cheng
collection DOAJ
description Previous studies have demonstrated the significance of leadership training for the professional growth of academics. In the Digital Era, where technological advancements and new learning environments are transforming leadership development, this study seeks to explore whether and how academics’ leadership styles influence their motivation to participate in a leadership training program. Based on survey data from 761 participants directly involved in a leadership development project, this study adopted a path model analysis method and provides novel empirical evidence on whether participants’ leadership styles influence their motivation to participate in leadership training programs. By examining this relationship in the context of the Digital Era, where digital tools and virtual platforms play a significant role, the study sheds light on how leadership approaches drive individuals’ motivation for further development—an aspect that has been underexplored in the past. Focusing on participants from a leadership development project, the study offers practical insights into how different leadership styles may impact engagement and interest in leadership training, particularly in digital and hybrid learning settings. This could help organizations tailor their leadership programs to better address the diverse needs of participants with varying leadership orientations in a digitally connected world.
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spelling doaj-art-58c8644a0459417494c097027e7e53e62025-08-20T03:43:26ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-03-0115336910.3390/educsci15030369Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital EraZhao Cheng0Chang Zhu1Department of Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, BelgiumDepartment of Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, BelgiumPrevious studies have demonstrated the significance of leadership training for the professional growth of academics. In the Digital Era, where technological advancements and new learning environments are transforming leadership development, this study seeks to explore whether and how academics’ leadership styles influence their motivation to participate in a leadership training program. Based on survey data from 761 participants directly involved in a leadership development project, this study adopted a path model analysis method and provides novel empirical evidence on whether participants’ leadership styles influence their motivation to participate in leadership training programs. By examining this relationship in the context of the Digital Era, where digital tools and virtual platforms play a significant role, the study sheds light on how leadership approaches drive individuals’ motivation for further development—an aspect that has been underexplored in the past. Focusing on participants from a leadership development project, the study offers practical insights into how different leadership styles may impact engagement and interest in leadership training, particularly in digital and hybrid learning settings. This could help organizations tailor their leadership programs to better address the diverse needs of participants with varying leadership orientations in a digitally connected world.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/3/369transformational leadershiptransactional leadershipleadership stylesmotivationleadership training program
spellingShingle Zhao Cheng
Chang Zhu
Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era
Education Sciences
transformational leadership
transactional leadership
leadership styles
motivation
leadership training program
title Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era
title_full Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era
title_fullStr Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era
title_full_unstemmed Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era
title_short Academics’ Leadership Styles and Their Motivation to Participate in a Leadership Training Program in the Digital Era
title_sort academics leadership styles and their motivation to participate in a leadership training program in the digital era
topic transformational leadership
transactional leadership
leadership styles
motivation
leadership training program
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/3/369
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