Empowering Research Competitiveness Through Interdisciplinary Leadership: A Strategic Role of Deans in Higher Education

Universities face increasing pressure to demonstrate competitiveness in securing external research funding as part of the demands of knowledge-driven economies and the pursuit of academic excellence. The study investigates the strategic role of faculty deans in strengthening research competitiveness through the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration, alignment of research priorities with funding opportunities, and development of institutional research capacity. As academic leaders, deans influence the formation of research culture and connect diverse disciplines to maximize funding potential. The study applies a qualitative conceptual design to synthesize relevant literature, integrate Transformational Leadership Theory, and incorporate the principles of Mode 2 knowledge production. The resulting framework links the strategic role of deans with research funding competitiveness, with interdisciplinary collaboration serving as a mediating factor. Findings indicate that adaptive transformational leadership enables deans to expand institutional networks, diversify research approaches, and increase success rates in competitive grant proposals. The study provides theoretical contributions by extending the application of transformational leadership within higher education and practical implications for policy initiatives aimed at improving institutional capacity to compete for national and international funding.