A Model of Sustainable Leadership for Leaders in Double First-Class Universities in China

Abstract

Owing to the context in which higher education institutions function, models of sustainable leadership have not been applied to this area. Yet China is now the world’s second largest economic entity, and higher education plays an integral role in the country’s development. In August 2015, China’s State Council published the Overall Plan for Coordinately Advancing the Construction of World First-class Universities and First-class Disciplines. This paper reviews and analyzes research and theories related to effective leadership and sustainable leadership, which is applied in education and higher education institutions, especially in China. The current challenges of double first-class universities in China will be determined. Under this situation, according to two eras of literatures on effective leadership and sustainable leadership in higher education, the author will develop a model of sustainable leadership for leaders in double first-class universities in China.