School Heads Collaborative Decision-Making to Enhance Human Relations for a Higher Level of Administrative Efficiency

Abstract School heads’ strategic management practices play an important role in strengthening collaborative decision-making, workplace relationships, and administrative efficiency in public schools. This study examined the relationship between school heads’ collaborative strategic management practices, human relations, and administrative efficiency in public schools in Tudela District, Division of Misamis Occidental, during School Year 2025–2026. A descriptive-correlational design was used with 104 teacher-respondents selected through purposive sampling from nine public schools. The study measured collaborative decision-making in terms of inclusive participation, open communication, mutual dependence, and shared ownership; human relations in terms of trust, respect, interpersonal communication, teamwork, and job satisfaction; and administrative efficiency in terms of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling efficiency. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rho correlation were used. Results showed very high levels of collaborative decision-making (M = 3.88, SD = 0.40), human relations (M = 3.90, SD = 0.37), and administrative efficiency (M = 3.90, SD = 0.36). Collaborative decision-making was significantly related to human relations (rs = .672, p = .001) and administrative efficiency (rs = .563, p = .001). The findings suggest that inclusive participation, transparent communication, mutual dependence, and shared ownership are associated with stronger interpersonal relationships and more efficient administrative functioning. The study recommends strengthening participatory governance, structured communication channels, shared accountability mechanisms, and capacity building for collaborative school leadership.