A Comparative Study of Leadership Style in Islamic Azad Universities of Iran and Canadian Universities

The aim of research was to compare leadership style in Islamic Azad Universities of Iran and Canadian universities. A comparative research method with a mixed approach was used. The data collection tool in the qualitative phase was a semi-structured interview, using the snowball technique and based on the saturation law, 19 experts from the studied universities were selected. In the quantitative phase, the statistical population included all the faculty members of these universities, 250 of whom were selected by simple random sampling. Also, a researcher-made questionnaire based on qualitative phase result was used to collect data. Qualitative data analysis was done by analyzing the content of the interviews, coding and extracting codes and categories and identifying their relationship. In this way, 72 concepts are classified in the form of 15 categories under the four styles of transformational, structural, servant and visionary leadership. The findings showed that Canadian universities are more inclined towards transformational, visionary and servant leadership styles, while in Islamic Azad Universities of Iran; more tendencies towards structural leadership style is shown. According to the findings, It is recommended to policy-makers of higher education in Iran, to pay attention to the application of various leadership styles.