Impact of entrepreneurial leadership on institutional competitiveness and performance in HEIs: the mediating role of entrepreneurial culture

Purpose Although related literature acknowledges the role of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) in enhancing institutional competitiveness and performance in higher education institutions (HEIs), there is a paucity of empirical studies examining this relationship, particularly the mediating role of entrepreneurial culture. To address this research gap, this study aims to determine whether EL has a positive impact on institutional competitiveness and institutional performance. The study also determines whether entrepreneurial culture mediates the relationship between EL and institutional competitiveness and between EL and institutional performance. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and collected data via a self-administered questionnaire. The study performed an ordinary least squares regression analysis to test its hypotheses using the PROCESS macro v4 for SPSS. Findings EL has a significant positive impact on entrepreneurial culture, institutional competitiveness, and institutional performance. Moreover, entrepreneurial culture has a significant positive impact on institutional competitiveness and institutional performance. Additionally, entrepreneurial culture significantly mediates the relationship between EL and institutional competitiveness and between EL and institutional performance. Practical implications This study highlights the need for HEI leaders to adopt an EL style and promote an entrepreneurial culture to enhance their institutions' competitiveness and performance. Originality/value This study is the first to examine entrepreneurial culture as a mediating mechanism linking EL with institutional competitiveness and performance in HEIs. The study integrates resource-based and dynamic capability theories to provide valuable insights into the roles of EL and entrepreneurial culture in improving institutional competitiveness and performance in HEIs.