Caring leadership as a leading factor in cultivating the research culture: Evidence from Islamic higher education

This study highlights how caring leadership holds significant potential in making Islamic higher education institutions successful and outstanding research. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and document analysis. The research participants consisted of 10 individuals selected using criterion-based sampling, all of whom had direct experience with the phenomenon under investigation. Furthermore, using descriptive qualitative analysis, the analysis process encompasses data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that caring leadership enhances research enthusiasm and performance within higher education institutions. Additionally, it supports the research process, fosters a conducive academic atmosphere, aids in cultivating a research-friendly environment, thereby augmenting institutional reputation and research quality, driving transformation toward excellence and international recognition. This evidence further substantiates that caring leadership within higher education institutions nurtures a research-oriented culture. Such transformation underscores the necessity of caring leadership in achieving these goals.