A comparative study of educational leadership in Taiwan and the USA

This research study employed a casual comparative approach to investigating transformational leadership practices of educational leaders in Taiwan and the USA. Convenient samples of 50 educational leaders from each culture were selected as two sample groups to draw cross-cultural comparisons. The instrument selected to measure exemplary leadership practices was Kouzes and Posnerʹs Leadership Practice Inventory-Self (LPI-Self). The ANOVA results revealed that significant differences existed on three components of leadership practices: Modeling the Way, Inspiring a Shared Vision and Challenging the Process. Self-perceived leadership practices of educational leaders between the two cultures suggested culturally specific interpretations. The impact of culture on educational leadership practices was discussed. Findings of the study have implications for the body of research in a number of related disciplines, such as development, selections of educational leaders, and cross-cultural research on educational leadership.