Empowering Innovation and Performance in Higher Education: The Transformative Role of Participative Decision-Making

Higher education institutions rely heavily on effective decision-making processes to shape teacher effectiveness, which in turn influences the performance and creativity crucial for fostering innovation and critical thinking among students. This research paper explores the significant impact of leadership decision-making styles, particularly participative decision-making, on teacher performance and creativity within the context of higher education. From 2016 to 2024, by examining the interplay between administrative heads and teachers and analyzing gendered perceptions, the study reveals the profound influence of participative decision-making on enhancing academic outcomes and offers actionable insights for administrators and policymakers. © 2024 Xin Meng, Hao Zhang, Bo Yang, Lianrong Yang and Ying Liu, published by Sciendo.