Decoding leadership in Chinese higher education: a systematic review of insights and innovations (2016–2025)

This systematic review examines leadership styles in Chinese higher education institutions (HEIs), utilizing 24 studies published between 2016 and 2025, filtered from 14,068 articles via PRISMA-compliant selection. Most studies employ quantitative methods, complemented by qualitative and mixed-method approaches. The analysis reveals that leadership in Chinese HEIs is significantly shaped by organizational trust, psychological capital, gratitude, work engagement, and psychological safety. Contextual factors such as organizational culture, guanxi, team dynamics, empowerment, and generational differences emerge as critical moderators. Based on these insights, several key strategies are proposed to enhance leadership effectiveness, including strong communication, constructive feedback, effective remote management, and gender equality promotion. Bridging rural–urban divides, improving crisis management, and integrating advanced technologies are also highlighted as essential future directions. This review not only synthesizes current research but also identifies gaps, offering a roadmap for advancing leadership development in Chinese HEIs.