Abstract:
This study investigates the need for transformational leadership in the sustainable development of the productivity in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Cameroon. While
institutions always request additional funding, the need for effective allocation and utilization of existing resources is relevant for sustainability. Participants for this study included
teachers from state and private HEIs in Cameroon. Correlation and regression models
were used to assess the impact of transformational leadership on sustainable productivity
grounded in Michael Fullan’s (2011) six secrets of educational change theory. A positive
and significant relationship was observed between transformational leadership and the productivity of HEIs. While the practice of transformational leadership was observed more in
state-owned HEIs, the impact was more in private than in state HEIs. The mean value for
intellectual stimulation for sustainable productivity of higher institutes of learning is higher
for the private as compared to that of state institutions showing that intellectual stimulation is more used in private HEIs to improve their productivity than in state-owned HEIs
in Cameroon. While the correlational analysis showed that intellectual stimulation has the
strongest correlate effect on sustainable productivity, the regression analysis showed that
inspirational motivation has more added value to productivity. Based on these fndings,
we recommend a leadership model for sustaining organizational productivity, where the
essence of the efective practice of transformational leadership is collaboration, especially
in the change process.
