COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE AMONG ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS OF TWO FACULTIES AT INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

Purpose: This study investigated perceptions about collaborative leadership style via a study among administrative assistants of the faculty of Economics and Management Sciences and Faculty of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. Precisely, the study examined their perceptions, collective decision making and differences between faculties under study. Methodology: A survey method was employed to collect the data. The data were analyzed using t-test and descriptive statics (frequencies and percentages). A total of 44 administrative assistants were sampled through a self-administered questionnaire from two faculties, namely Economics and Management Sciences (KENMS) and Faculty of Knowledge and Human Sciences (IRKHS) at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Main findings: The results of the analysis indicated that perceptions of administrative assistants were positive towards a collaborative leadership style. The study also found statistically significant differences between administrative assistants of KEMNS and IRKHS. It was found that IRKHS administrative assistant was more elicit to activities of collaborative leadership than their counterparts. Overall, the study revealed that administrative assistants were of the view that applying a collaborative leadership style will facilitate effective decision making in their respective faculties. Implications/Applications: This study is useful for administrative assistants in institutions of higher learning to adopt and adapt to understanding a clear collaborative leadership concept. Therefore, collaboration among staff will be recognized to develop a general perception in the educational institution. Novelty/Originality: In this research collaborative leadership style had been studied among administrative assistants critically. Permission was granted by the Dean of post-graduate studies from the kulliyyah of Education (IIUM).