2025 IJRSE – Volume 14 Issue 15
Available Online: 16 December 2025
Author/s:
Mamaril, Imee Joy G.*
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines (imee.galanta@deped.gov.ph)
Bullecer, Wilhelmina C.
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines (wennybullecer21@gmail.com)
Abstract:
This study examined the strategic leadership behavior and change management competency of school heads in the Department of Education–Dupax del Norte I District as perceived by 82 teacher-respondents during the Academic Year 2025–2026. Using the Slovin Formula and stratified sampling, the study employed validated research instruments and appropriate statistical treatments, including mean and Spearman Rank-Order Correlation, with the hypothesis tested at the 0.05 significance level. Strategic leadership behavior was assessed across instructional leadership alignment, resource and capacity management, innovation and technology integration, strategic communication, and strategic culture building. Change management competency was evaluated along visioning and strategic planning, communication and stakeholder engagement, capacity building and empowerment, managing resistance and conflict, and monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability. Findings revealed that the overall strategic leadership behavior of school heads was Excellent (grand mean = 3.79), with the highest rating in instructional leadership alignment and slightly lower performance in resource and capacity management. Change management competency was likewise rated Excellent (grand mean = 3.81), with school heads demonstrating strong proficiency in visioning and strategic planning and relatively lower performance in monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability. A highly positive and very significant correlation (ρ = 0.853) was found between strategic leadership behavior and change management competency, indicating that stronger leadership practices are closely associated with enhanced change management abilities. Based on the identified areas of improvement, an educational management intervention was developed focusing on data-driven decision-making, resource optimization, technology integration, stakeholder engagement, linking innovation to learning outcomes, constructive resistance management, and institutionalizing reforms. The study concludes that school heads exhibit strong leadership and change management capabilities, yet targeted capacity-building programs are essential for strengthening sustainability mechanisms and resource management. Replication in other districts is recommended to verify the generalizability of the results.
Keywords: change management, management intervention, strategic leadership
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2025.25122
Cite this article:
Mamaril, I. J. G., & Bullecer, W. C. (2025). Strategic leadership behavior as determinant of change management competency among school administrators in Dupax del Norte I District. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 14(15), 281-296. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2025.25122
* Corresponding Author