The Level of Practicing Middle Leadership by Head of Department in Light of John De Nobile’s Theoretical Model of Middle Leadership

Abstract

There is still a lack of studies and models regarding the roles of the department heads as middle leaders in Saudi higher education institutions (HEIs). Therefore, the study aimed to identify the nature of the work of the middle academic leader in the light of John DeNobile's model of middle leadership by identifying the influence of the model's inputs, the role of middle leadership, and identifying the degree of outputs and outcomes. It also aimed to highlight the role of the middle leader (department head) in Saudi HEIs. The study was applied at Saudi HEIs for the year of 2022.  A questionnaire of four sections with 24 items was applied, and then analyzed using the SPSS. The results concluded that the level of practicing the inputs of the model is high.  The role of the head of the department as a middle leader got a high level as well, and the level of his influence on the outputs of the program according to the model is also high. Thus, the John DeNobile model is an appropriate model to be applied and adopted for the practices of the department head as a middle leader in HEIs. The results of this study will enable the presentation of a model that can be adopted in institutions of HEIs, in which it defines the tasks and roles of the middle leaders, and the inputs and outputs that affect their work. The results also will enrich the body of knowledge regarding the middle leadership.