The Role of Proactive Leadership Dimensions in Strategic Stretch An Analytical Study of the Opinions of a Sample of Administrative Leaders at a Number of Private Universities in Erbil

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the role of proactive leadership (the independent variable), in terms of its dimensions (foresight, initiative, flexibility and adaptation, risk management, and effective communication), in enhancing strategic stretch (the dependent variable), in terms of its dimensions (ambitious goals, resource utilization, risk tolerance, and creativity) in a number of private universities in Erbil. Based on this, the study problem crystallized through a number of questions about the existence of correlations and impact between the two variables. The field of study was represented by a number of private universities in Erbil, while the study community and sample were represented by (presidents of private universities and their assistants, deans of colleges and their assistants, heads of academic departments, and directors of units and divisions) present therein. To achieve the study's objectives, a questionnaire was used as the primary tool for collecting field data. To ascertain the opinions of the respondents, the study relied on a descriptive analytical approach to address the theoretical and field data from the private universities under study. The random sample consisted of (130) respondents. The questionnaire was distributed to the sample, and (126) questionnaires were returned. (121) questionnaires were valid for analysis. The study used a set of statistical tools and methods to analyze the practical aspect, including the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and correlation and impact analysis. Hypotheses were tested using statistical methods using AMOS V24 & SPSS V26 software to arrive at the desired results. The study reached a set of results, the most important of which is that proactive leadership, in all its dimensions, is present at a higher level than the hypothetical average in the universities studied. This indicates the effectiveness of implementing proactive leadership practices there. Furthermore, the dimensions of strategic stretch are achieved at a relatively medium to high level in the universities studied, indicating their adoption of a strategic approach to stretch based on innovation and renewal.