Exploring the Dimensions and Components of Business School Leadership Adopting an Entrepreneurial Development Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Maryam Chezgi ¹
• Nazia Nasery ²
• Mohsen Moradi ³
• Ahmad Akbari ²

¹ PhD student in Educational Management, Department of Educational Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Management, Mashhad Branch, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/tmj.2024.89363.1596

Abstract

 
1- INTRODUCTION
Leadership is the cornerstone of organizational success, influencing internal operations in line with the ability to achieve strategic goals in a dynamic and competitive environment. In entrepreneurship schools, leadership is key to fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking among students. This study investigates the dimensions and components of leadership in entrepreneurial schools, emphasizing its significance in promoting entrepreneurial development through strategic and adaptive approaches.
 
2- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
This research is anchored in leadership theories that include transformative, participatory, and strategic paradigms. Transformative leadership emphasizes inspiring and empowering team members, fostering innovation, and achieving long-term organizational goals. Participatory leadership focuses on collaborative decision-making, ensuring the active engagement of all stakeholders. Strategic leadership, on the other hand, integrates vision and planning to ensure alignment with long-term objectives. These frameworks are synthesized to create a conceptual model tailored to entrepreneurial schools, aligning leadership styles with the unique demands of entrepreneurship education and development.
 
3- METHODOLOGY
The study employs a qualitative meta-synthesis methodology, systematically analyzing literature from 2010 to 2023. Using predefined criteria, 53 articles were selected from a pool of 62 based on relevance, data richness, and academic credibility. The meta-synthesis process followed the seven-stage model proposed by Sandelowski and Barroso, including systematic review, data extraction, and thematic coding. Validity and reliability were confirmed through triangulation, expert reviews, and iterative analysis, ensuring a robust synthesis of findings.
 
4- RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The findings reveal critical dimensions of leadership that contribute to the success of entrepreneurial schools:

Entrepreneurial Education: This includes innovative teaching methods, financial literacy training, and practical entrepreneurial activities integrating technology and fostering critical thinking. Examples include tailored curricula, online learning platforms, and interactive workshops to develop entrepreneurial skills.
Technological Entrepreneurship: Leveraging technology in education promotes innovative practices, such as integrating advanced tools for collaborative learning and entrepreneurship development. This approach aligns with global trends in technology-driven education.
Empowerment Strategies: The study identifies leadership approaches that empower students and teachers, focusing on capacity building, mentorship programs, and creating an enabling environment for innovation. Key strategies include fostering self-efficacy and enhancing collaborative skills.
Organizational Excellence: Leadership styles that prioritize organizational alignment and continuous improvement were shown to have significant impacts on institutional success. Participatory and transformative leadership models emerged as particularly effective in achieving organizational goals in entrepreneurial schools.

The analysis demonstrates that these leadership dimensions collectively enhance educational outcomes and prepare students to navigate complex entrepreneurial landscapes.
 
5- CONCLUSIONS & SUGGESTIONS
The study concludes that entrepreneurial leadership is indispensable for fostering students' innovation, adaptability, and market readiness. To maximize the impact of entrepreneurial schools, leadership strategies must integrate transformative and participatory approaches with a focus on continuous development and adaptability. Suggestions include:

Curriculum Development. To design educational programs emphasizing entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and real-world problem-solving.
Policy Reforms. To advocate for policies that support leadership training in schools to bridge the gap between education and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Training Programs. To implement leadership development initiatives for educators and administrators to align their practices with entrepreneurial objectives.
Technology Integration: Leverage technology to enhance learning experiences and promote innovative teaching methods.

This research underscores the transformative potential of leadership in entrepreneurial schools, offering a roadmap for fostering creativity, resilience, and strategic thinking in educational institutions.

Keywords

• Leadership
• Business School Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Meta-Synthesis

©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

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