The purpose of this study is to identify the leadership styles and group dynamics in Palestinian universities and to examine the correlation between them. It also aims to propose a model that would improve leadership practices and the collective work environment in Palestinian universities to achieve their desired goals. The researcher used the descriptive correlational analytical method because it suited the nature of the study.
The study population consisted of academic staff and university leaders (academics who hold administrative positions) in Palestinian universities in the Northern provinces, which include eleven universities. The study sample consisted of three Palestinian universities randomly selected, taking into consideration the geographic area and the type of university: the Arab American University, Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, and the Polytechnic University of Hebron.
The researcher relied on two tools to collect primary data for the study. The first was a questionnaire that was built and verified for validity and reliability using appropriate educational and statistical methods. This questionnaire was directed to academic staff in Palestinian universities, totaling 751 members. The second tool was the interview, which was directed to university leaders who were academics holding administrative positions. The researcher conducted personal interviews with 21 university leaders in the study sample.
The results of the study revealed that the prevailing and most common leadership style in Palestinian universities is the democratic leadership style, with an average of 3.63 and a moderate degree according to the Likert scale. The results also showed a moderate degree of group dynamics in Palestinian universities, with an average of 3.56. In addition, the quantitative results indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between the democratic leadership style and the dimensions of group dynamics in Palestinian universities, with a correlation coefficient of 0.478. The results also showed statistically significant differences between the means of the study sample’s estimates of the reality of leadership patterns and group dynamics in Palestinian universities based on demographic variables such as gender, academic rank, and years of experience.
Regarding the results of the qualitative study, the participants’ responses to the interview questions indicated that the prevailing leadership style in Palestinian universities is the democratic leadership style. It was also found that the democratic leadership style plays a role in activating the dynamics of the community, and that the university leadership's estimation of the community dynamics was rated higher than very good.
Finally, the study proposed a model that includes the most important recommendations and measures that would enhance leadership practices and the collective work environment in Palestinian universities. The study also included a set of recommendations, including the importance of changing the attitudes of officials in Palestinian universities toward a democratic leadership style, the need to provide the necessary requirements to improve performance related to it, and the necessity of developing community dynamics in Palestinian universities to improve the professional performance of employees at work.