The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Doctoral Dissertations Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects 12-2018 The eP rceptions of Saudi Arabia Higher Educational Leaders on Servant Leadership: The Use of Authority and Power Areej Abdullah Shafai University of San Francisco, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/diss Part of the Educational Leadership Commons Recommended Citation Shafai, Areej Abdullah, "The eP rceptions of Saudi Arabia Higher Educational Leaders on Servant Leadership: The sU e of Authority and Power" (2018). Doctoral Dissertations. 461. https://repository.usfca.edu/diss/461 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The University of San Francisco THE PERCEPTIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA HIGHER EDUCATIONAL LEADERS ON SERVANT LEADERSHIP: THE USE OF AUTHORITY AND POWER A Dissertation Presented To The Faculty of the School of Education Department of Leadership Studies Organization and Leadership Program In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirement for the Degree Doctor of Education by Areej Shafai San Francisco December 2018 THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO Dissertation Abstract The Perceptions of Saudi Arabia Higher Education Leaders on Servant Leadership: The Use of Authority and Power With the rapid changes occurring in Saudi Arabia toward achieving Saudi’s 2030 vision, more opportunities and developments will emerge in education and leadership, as one of the main orientations of the vision. The Ministry of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia seeks to raise the quality of higher education and its features to provide outputs that contribute to serving the community and economic development. Responding to the requirements of the labor market, the Ministry of Higher Education is seeking to make higher education in Saudi Arabia competitive with higher education systems in other developed countries. Thus, improving leadership in higher education institutions has become more essential than ever. This study explored the perceptions of higher education leaders on servant leadership as a leadership style. It also aimed to define their practices of authority and power as a significant pillar of servant leadership. A qualitative method was used to collect and analyze the data for this study. Ten department chairs from various regions of Saudi Arabia were interviewed to gain their perspectives and stories regarding their practice of servant leadership. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed, then coded and analyzed with Dedoose web- based qualitative data-analysis software. The major findings from this study emerged around the five main themes that answered the five research questions: experience of leadership, characteristics of servant leadership, service, authority and power, and challenges of applying servant leadership in Saudi Arabia. ii One major finding of this study was that Saudi higher education leaders lack leadership education and training. They were unfamiliar with various leadership styles in general, and the term servant leadership in particular. Findings also demonstrated a tight link between servant leadership and Islamic principles, as Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) embraced the leadership approach that puts people and their needs as a top priority. The findings clearly indicated that Saudi higher education leaders use formal authority and still perceive formal authority as a major controlling element. Formal authority and moral authority complement each other. More importantly, servant leadership is an appropriate method of leadership to be applied in higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. However, shifting from a traditional style of leadership that relies on authority to servant leadership needs to be gradual to reduce potential risks as a result of this significant transition. iii This dissertation, written under the direction of the candidate’s dissertation committee and approved by the members of the committee, has been presented to and accepted by the Faculty of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. The content and research methodologies presented in this work represent the work of the candidate alone. Areej Shafai November 2, 2018 Candidate Date Dissertation Committee Dr. Patricia Mitchell November 2, 2018 Chairperson Dr. Walter Gmelch November 2, 2018 Dr. Richard Johnson,III November 2, 2018 iv DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to everyone cares about improving higher education leadership in Saudi Arabia, to every educational leader who is seeking to thrive in his/her career. I dedicate this work to my wonderful parents for being the most influential people in my life. I also dedicate this work to my sisters and brothers, and to everyone who supported me and just made me smile. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Foremost, I would like to thank ALLAH for everything he has given me to make this work possible. Without the faith I have to you and the belief that you are always there for me, I could never have accomplished this dissertation successfully. A great thank to the government of Saudi Arabia for providing me a King Abdullah Scholarship to study abroad and gain unique skills and knowledge that cannot be gained in another place. Their generous support throughout my educational path is much appreciated. My sincere gratitude and great thank to Dr. Patricia Mitchell, not only for being my chairperson who always provided guidance, suggestions, and advice, but also for supporting me emotionally and professionally. She was the candle that truly enlightened my way toward achieving this achievement. She always had a belief in me that I would do and be well. Thank you very much, Dr. Mitchell. I also would like to thank my committee members, Dr. Walter Gmelch and Dr. Richard Johnson, for their ongoing support and encouragement through this process. They were always available and ready to provide insight, feedback, and suggestions to help me succeed this dissertation. Thank you also to the participants of this study for providing their valuable time and effort to share their amazing stories and insights. Without their participation, this work could not possibly be completed. My parents, Abdullah and Salha: thank you for your continued prayers for me, and for providing the love and support that I really needed to successfully complete this vi process. As ALLAH blessed me to live a long life, I will do whatever it takes to return back to you a simple part of what you have given me. My parents, I love you. To my wonderful sisters and brothers, I thank ALLAH for having and for continuing to have you in my life. Thank you for standing by my side in a time of weakness and frustration. I Love you so much !! vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................ii SIGNATURE PAGE ...................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I THE RESEARCH PROBLEM ................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................... 1 Background and Need for the Study ..................................................................... 5 Background of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia ................................................ 8 The Purpose of the Study.................................................................................... 11 Research Questions ............................................................................................ 12 Theoretical Framework ...................................................................................... 12 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study ......................................................... 17 Significance of the Study .................................................................................... 18 Definitions of Terms .......................................................................................... 20 Summary ............................................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ......................................................... 24 Restatement of the Problem ................................................................................ 24 Overview of Servant Leadership Literature ........................................................ 24 Definitions of Leadership ................................................................................... 26 Historical