A comparative study of administrative leadership in Thai universities

This study set out to examine and describe the administrative experiences of senior leaders and senior and junior staff in three Thai universities. The researcher chose to employ a grounded theory approach to analyse data collected from in-depth interviews with twelve participants including one Dean from Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), one from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and two from Burapha University (BUU). The senior staff informants included four heads of schools and departments, one from each of SUT and KMUTT and two from BUU. Junior staff informants included four Chief or Faculty Secretaries, one each from SUT and KMUTT and two from BUU. Other data sources included field notes and the documents provided by each university. All interviews were conducted in Thai, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Along with field notes, memos and documents, these were analysed using the constant comparative method synonymous with grounded theory. Findings of the research revealed that effective leadership combines both interpersonal and organizational skills in establishing direction in universities and in aligning, motivating and inspiring people. The study is set in a context where universities in Thailand are moving from state bureaucratic control to autonomous status. Effective leadership is therefore of great importance