"The Mediating Role of Organizational Values in the Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Strategic Performance at Al-Quds Open University."

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the mediating role of organizational values in the relationship between transformational leadership and strategic performance at Al-Quds Open University. The research problem stems from the challenges facing Palestinian universities in achieving outstanding strategic performance despite difficult circumstances, coupled with a research gap in understanding how organizational values act as a mediating factor between transformational leadership and strategic performance in the Palestinian context, specifically at Al-Quds Open University. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, using a questionnaire as the primary tool after verifying its validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89). The study population consisted of 804 administrative and academic employees (department heads and above), with a stratified random sample of 261 respondents. The variables were defined as follows: the independent variable (transformational leadership with its four dimensions), the mediating variable (organizational values with its four dimensions), and the dependent variable (strategic performance with its four dimensions). Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS 4 software. The results revealed high levels of organizational values (80.7%), transformational leadership (81.7%), and strategic performance (80.2%). They also showed statistically significant positive relationships among the variables, with a strong partial mediating role for organizational values (β = 0.565), explaining 65.4% of the effect of transformational leadership on strategic performance through values. The study recommends issuing an official organizational values charter, linking promotions and incentives to the application of values and transformational leadership, establishing an integrity and justice committee, and implementing annual training programs and surveys on the three variables to enhance institutional sustainability and excellence.