Collaborative Leadership in Industry–Higher Education Partnerships: A Review of Theories and Practices in Workforce Reskilling
Keywords:
educational governance; industry–academia collaboration; skills development; cross-cultural partnership; education qualityAbstract
In the context of rapid technological advancements and evolving labor-market demands, the alignment between higher education and industry has become increasingly critical. Traditional university models rooted in theoretical instruction are no longer sufficient to equip graduates with the practical skills required for modern employment. This has created a growing need for effective partnerships between educational institutions and industry, focusing on workforce reskilling and upskilling. This literature review explores the strategic role of educational leadership in facilitating industry and higher education partnerships, particularly in workforce development initiatives. It examines how leadership competencies such as effective communication, trust building, shared decision making, and resource coordination serve as mediating factors in the success of these collaborations. The review integrates insights from human capital theory, social exchange theory, the resource-based view, and collaboration theory to explain how educational leadership influences workforce reskilling and upskilling outcomes. It also investigates contextual differences through a comparison of China and Malaysia. China’s centralized, state-driven model contrasts with Malaysia’s decentralized, multi-stakeholder framework, highlighting the need to adapt leadership practices to specific political, cultural, and policy contexts. This comparative analysis emphasizes the importance of context-sensitive collaborative competencies in achieving successful outcomes. The main conclusion is that educational leadership and collaborative competencies are essential for effective industry and higher education partnerships. Strong leadership directly enhances the success of workforce development initiatives in both centralized and decentralized systems, offering practical implications for policymakers and educational leaders seeking to strengthen reskilling and upskilling programs.
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.24.10.41
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