Latest Research on Sustainable Leadership at Mahidol University, Thailand's Oldest University

on 16 August 2012.

A research report, entitled Sustainable Leadership: Honeybee Practices at Thailand’s Oldest University, by Associate Professor Dr. Sooksan Kantabutra and Dr. Molraudee Saratun has been accepted for publication by International Journal of Educational Management, indexed by Scopus. According to review comments, this report features a groundbreaking study in the educational management field as it contains the first examination of sustainable leadership in the higher education sector by showing that even a public service organization can adopt the long-term, socially responsible principles of sustainable leadership.

The study adopts Avery and Bergsteiner’s 23 Honeybee leadership practices derived from sustainable organizations as a framework to examine the leadership practices of Thailand’s oldest university, Mahidol University. Adopting a multi-data collection approach, research teams supplemented case study data with participant observations, and reference to documentation and information supplied by, or published about the university. Semi-structured interviews were held with multiple stakeholders, including the council chairman, president, faculty members and students. Six core sets of practices consistent with 21 sustainable leadership practices are identified: a focus on a long-term perspective, staff development, a strong organizational culture, innovation, social and environmental responsibility and ethical behavior.

Since sustainable leadership principles link to enhanced brand and reputation, customer and staff satisfaction, and financial performance, the Sustainable Leadership Grid provides educational leaders in Thailand and possibly other Asian countries with a useful checklist for this purpose. Thai university administrators can use the Honeybee leadership framework to examine their own university leadership practices to determine where to adjust to ensure a long-term sustainable success.

This report confirms CMMU as a leading business school in Asia.