Transformational Leadership of School Principals in Encouraging Vocational Education Innovation and Industrial Partnerships

Tulus Khairunisa, Sofyan Anif, Ahmad Muhibbin

Abstract


This study examines the implementation of transformational leadership of school principals in encouraging vocational education innovation and industrial partnerships at SMK Batik 1 Surakarta, focusing on the alignment between leadership strategies and learning practices in schools. The research methods used were qualitative, including semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis, with data collected from principals, teachers, and administrative staff. The findings show that principals apply transformational leadership principles to encourage educational innovation and build industry partnerships, but there are challenges in their implementation, including resource limitations, resistance to change, and traditional academic culture pressures. These barriers reduce the effectiveness of leadership strategies in achieving innovative, industry-oriented learning. The results of the study emphasized the need for capacity building through continuous professional training, strengthening transformational leadership literacy, and developing practical strategies that are appropriate to the context of vocational schools. The use of technology and the digitalization of administration are also important steps to focus school principals on pedagogical development and partnerships. In line with the goals of vocational education in Indonesia, this effort is expected to increase learning innovation, students' work skills, and productive relationships with the industrial world. This research provides practical insights for policymakers, principals, and educators in improving the effectiveness of transformational leadership for adaptive and innovative vocational education

Keywords


Transformational Leadership, Educational Innovation, Vocational Education, Industry Partnerships, Leadership Strategy

Full Text:

PDF

References


Ahsan, M. J. (2025). Cultivating a culture of learning: the role of leadership in fostering lifelong development. The Learning Organization, 32(2), 282–306. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-03-2024-0099

Azmaniar, Y., Desmira, S., Gistituati, N., Rusdinal, R., & Nellitawati, N. (2025). Peran Kepemimpinan Transformasional Dalam Membangun Budaya Sekolah Yang Inovatif Dan Kolaboratif Di Smpn 2 Lubuk Alung Kabupaten Padang Pariaman. Jurnal Kepemimpinan Dan Pengurusan Sekolah, 10(4), 2237–2249. https://doi.org/10.34125/jkps.v10i4.1159

Bello, B. G., Tula, S. T., Omotoye, G. B., Kess-Momoh, A. J., & Daraojimba, A. I. (2024). Work-life balance and its impact in modern organizations: An HR review. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(1), 1162–1173. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.1.0106

Farhan, M., Azma, A., & Markarma, A. (2025). Kepemimpinan Transformatif Kepala Sekolah Dalam Menciptakan Manajemen Mutu Pendidikan Di Smk Negeri 3 Luwuk. Jurnal Integrasi Manajemen Pendidikan, 4(2), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.24239/jimpe.v4i2.4376

Fitrian, F., Karnati, N., & Sari, E. (2025). The Dynamic of Transformational Leadership : Diving into Voices of Vocational Schools Principals. Asian Journal of Engineering, Social and Health, 4(1), 193–202. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.46799/ajesh.v4i1.526

Gary, Y. (2013). Leadership in organizations (p. 54). Pearson Education.

Hariyasasti, Y. (2025). The Role of Transformational Leadership and Principal’s Work Motivation on the Performance of Elementary School Teachers in Gunungwungkal District. Journal of Industrial Engineering & Management Research, 6(1), 68–72. https://doi.org/10.7777/jiemar.v6i1.569

Hidayatullah, N. (2023). Analyzing the Synergy Efforts between the Education and Industry Sectors. Enigma in Education, 1(2), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.61996/edu.v1i2.29

Huang, F. (2025). Exploring a new model of undergraduate vocational education. Vocation, Technology & Education, 2(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.54844/vte.2025.0869

Jameel, A., Guo, W., Hussain, A., & Kanwel, S. (2025). Enhancing innovative work behavior through transformational leadership in tourism and hospitality employees: the mediating role of intrinsic motivation and employee creativity. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 1018. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03305-8

Judge, T. A., Klinger, R., & Li, M. (2023). Promote job satisfaction through mental challenge. Principles of Organizational Behavior: The Handbook of Evidence‐Based Management 3rd Edition, 10(April), 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394320769.ch8Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Kareem, J., Patrick, H. A., Prabakaran, N., B, V., Tantia, V., MPM, P. K., & Mukherjee, U. (2023). Transformational educational leaders inspire school educators’ commitment. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1171513. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1171513

Kayyali, M. (2025). Aligning Vocational Education With Industry Needs: Successful Partnerships and Practices. In Innovative Approaches in Vocational and Regional Education (pp. 1–48). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9496-0.ch001

Lasrin, H., Rubini, B., & Novita, L. (2025). The Effect of Transformational Leadership and Technological Literacy on Increasing Teacher Innovativeness. Al-Tanzim: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 09(03), 947–960. https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v9i3.12058

Loureiro, P., Dieguez, T., & Ferreira, I. (2022). Higher education as a driver for sustainable transformation and leadership. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 3(4), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.54660/anfo. 2022.3.4.13

Magee, E., & Plotner, A. (2022). Examining barriers and strategies for effective professional or interagency collaboration in secondary transition. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 56(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-211170

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=3CNrUbTu6CsC

Murugi, R. M., & Mugwe, M. (2023). Stakeholders’ involvement and school leadership for effective implementation of strategic planning. Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education, 7(2), 277–286. https://doi.org/10.59765/fa59zan3

Na, G., Ma, R., & Cho, H. (2025). The Importance of Optimism and School Belonging for Children’s Well-Being and Academic Achievement. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 27(12), 1867. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.073087

Nasir, J., Ibrahim, R. M., Sarwar, M. A., Sarwar, B., Al-Rahmi, W. M., Alturise, F., Samed Al-Adwan, A., & Uddin, M. (2022). The effects of transformational leadership, organizational innovation, work stressors, and creativity on employee performance in SMEs. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(77), 2104. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.772104

Nurjanah, S., Bedi, F., & Fitri, T. A. (2024). Strategi Pemimpin Dalam Meningkatkan Daya Saing Siswa Lulusan Di Era Digitalisasi. Re-JIEM (Research Journal of Islamic Education Management), 7(2), 213–232. https://doi.org/10.19105/re-jiem.v7i2.15753.

Putra, B. J. M., Ichwanto, M. A., Suwarno, E., Alfianto, I., & Kiong, T. T. (2025). The Effect of Practical Learning and Field Work Practical Experience on the Work Readiness of Vocational School Students in The Expertise of Building Design, Modeling and Information. LITERACY: International Scientific Journals of Social, Education, Humanities, 4(3), 308–315. https://doi.org/10.56910/literacy.v4i3.3194

Qayyimah, L., Putra, A. P., Rizaldy, P. A., Supriyadi, S., & Izzatika, A. (2024). Peran Kepemimpinan Transformasional Kepala Sekolah Dalam Menghadapi Era Society 5.0. Educatio, 19(2), 243–252. https://doi.org/10.29408/edc.v19i2.27688

Rehmani, M., Farheen, N., Khokhar, M. N., Khalid, A., Dalain, A. F., & Irshad, H. (2023). How does transformational leadership stimulate employee innovative behavior? A moderated mediation analysis. Sage Open, 13(3), 2158. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231198401

Ruwaida, R., & Sudira, P. (2024). School Partnership Management with Industry and the World of Work to Improve Student Automotive Skills Competency. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 57(1), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpp.v57i1.61034

Şahin, N., & Bilir, F. P. (2024). The effect of transformational leadership and personal cultural values on creating a learning organization. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02701-6

Septiana, N. N., & Khoiriyah, Z. (2024). Metode penelitian studi kasus dalam pendekatan kualitatif. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 10(04), 233–243. https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v10i04.5181

Setiawan, D., Bafadal, I., Supriyanto, A., & Hadi, S. (2024). The Vocational High School Strategy in Increasing Partnerships with Business and Industry. IRJE: Indonesian Research Journal in Education, 8(1), 120–133. https://doi.org/10.22437/irje.v8i1.307501

Suryanto, A., Hendrowati, T. Y., & Badrun, M. (2025). Peran Kepemimpinan Kepala Sekolah Dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Lulusan. Manajemen Pendidikan, 20(1), 62–74. https://doi.org/10.23917/jmp/v9i2.7572

Triyono, M. B., Pratama, G. N. I. P., & Köhler, T. (2023). The future of vocational competence: Perspective of vocational teachers, industries, and educational expert. International Journal of Instruction, 16(4), 543–560. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2023.16431a

Wahjusaputri, S., Nastiti, T. I., & Liu, Y. (2024). Development of a hybrid teaching factory model based on school governance in improving employability skills of vocational students. Jurnal Pendidikan Vokasi, 14(1), 53–62. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpv.v14i1.65108

Wahyuningsih, R., Joyoatmojo, S., Wardani, D. K., & Noviani, L. (2025). Work-integrated learning to improve work readiness of vocational education in school and madrasah. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 6(4), 586–602. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i4.1928

Wulandari, H. T., Susanto, H., Muhibbin, A., & Susilo, A. (2025). Evaluasi Pendidikan Vokasi di Era Revolusi Industri 4.0 dan Society 5.0. Paedagogie, 20(2), 231–240. https://doi.org/10.31603/paedagogie.v20i2.15010

Yakob, M., Sahudra, T. M., & Sukirno, S. (2025). Transformational Leadership of Principals: Driving Excellence in Education Quality. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, 17(1), 1658–1667. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v17i1.6887

Yulianto, T., Siswanto, N. D., Indra, H., & Al-Kattani, A. H. (2024). Analisis manajemen kepala sekolah dalam meningkatkan kompetensi guru pada lembaga pendidikan. RESLAJ: Religion Education Social Laa Roiba Journal, 6(3), 1349–1358. https://doi.org/10.47467/reslaj.v6i3.5136

Zuo, X., Omar, I. M., & Lee, K. C. S. (2024). The influence of teacher’s transformational leadership on student engagement: unveiling the mediating role of self-efficacy in chinese higher vocational education. MOJEM: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Management, 12(4), 78–94. https://doi.org/10.22452/mojem.vol12no4.5




DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/abj.v11i3.44475

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

...............................................................................................................................................................

Mailing Address:

Ruang Jurnal Abjadia, Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah dan Keguruan (FITK)
Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang
Jalan Gajayana 50 Malang 65144, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

Phone/Faximile: (+62341) 552398, Cell Phone: +62 81 333 666 063
Website: http://ejournal.uin-malang.ac.id/index.php/abjadia
Email: abjadia@uin-malang.com

...............................................................................................................................................................

Abjadia: International Journal of Education. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

...............................................................................................................................................................

Indexed by: