Transformational leadership and administrative corruption in Yemeni private universities: the mediating role of e-management functions

This study examines the relationship between transformational leadership and administrative corruption in Yemeni private universities and tests the mediating role of e-management functions. The study addresses a research gap in the higher education context, particularly in Yemen, where limited empirical attention has focused on the combined relationship among transformational leadership, e-management functions and administrative corruption. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected at one point in time through a structured questionnaire administered to a proportionate stratified random sample of 220 academic leaders, administrative leaders and administrative staff in Yemeni private universities located in the Capital Secretariat, Sana’a. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 4, supported by SPSS for descriptive analysis. The results showed that transformational leadership was significantly negatively associated with administrative corruption and significantly positively associated with e-management functions. The findings also indicated a significant negative association between e-management functions and administrative corruption. Moreover, e-management functions significantly mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and administrative corruption. These results indicate that transformational leadership is associated with lower administrative corruption both directly and indirectly through e-management functions. The study recommends strengthening transformational leadership practices among university leaders, expanding the use of e-management functions and developing digital governance and control systems to enhance transparency, accountability and administrative integrity in higher education institutions.