Strategic Educational Leadership and Management Practices as Predictors of Institutional Effectiveness: A Framework for AI-Enabled Digital Transformation in Higher Education

This study examined the predictive influence of strategic educational leadership and management practices on institutional effectiveness in selected higher education institutions and developed an artificial intelligence-enabled digital transformation framework based on the findings. Specifically, it assessed the levels of strategic educational leadership, management practices, and institutional effectiveness and determined whether leadership and management practices significantly predicted institutional effectiveness. A quantitative, non-experimental predictive-correlational research design was employed, involving 136 academic administrators selected through total enumeration. Data were collected using a validated and reliability-tested survey questionnaire and analyzed through weighted mean, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed high levels of strategic educational leadership (4.32), management practices (4.30), and institutional effectiveness (4.29). Regression analysis showed a strong predictive relationship, with a correlation coefficient of 0.870 and a coefficient of determination of 0.756, indicating that the independent variables explained 75.6% of the variance in institutional effectiveness. Both strategic educational leadership and management practices significantly and positively predicted institutional effectiveness, with regression coefficients of 0.431 and 0.440, respectively. The findings highlight the importance of effective leadership and sound management in improving institutional performance. The study concludes that strengthening these practices can enhance institutional effectiveness in higher education institutions. Based on the findings, an artificial intelligence-enabled digital transformation framework was developed to integrate strategic leadership, effective management, and artificial intelligence-driven innovations. The framework aims to support evidence-based decision-making, improve organizational processes, strengthen quality assurance, and promote continuous institutional improvement. Its implementation may help higher education institutions achieve sustainable effectiveness and respond to the evolving demands of digital education.