Authentic and Transformational Leadership in Educational Management: A Comparative Review and Synthesis

Abstract

This study examines authentic and transformational leadership in educational settings by integrating systematic literature findings with large-scale trend analyses from Web of Science, Scopus, and Scopus AI. Drawing on conceptual foundations, empirical evidence, and AI-supported semantic mapping, the study analyzes the core dimensions, mechanisms, teacher-related outcomes, and cultural contexts associated with both leadership styles. Results indicate that authentic leadership primarily strengthens teachers’ autonomy, well-being, trust, and ethical climate through mechanisms such as relational transparency, emotional support, and organizational justice. Transformational leadership, meanwhile, exerts a stronger influence on innovation, collective efficacy, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, driven by inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and shared vision.

Database trends show that research on transformational leadership is substantially more extensive and historically rooted, whereas authentic leadership has emerged more recently and remains less represented, particularly in longitudinal designs. Scopus AI analysis reveals three dominant thematic clusters: authentic leadership, transformational leadership, and comparative or integrative studies. Both leadership styles exhibit significant conceptual overlap, yet they differ in their psychological pathways and contextual sensitivity. Cross-cultural variability highlights the moderating role of educational governance, collectivism, and policy structures.

The study identifies key gaps, including the scarcity of longitudinal and hybrid models, limited cross-cultural comparative work, and measurement challenges due to construct overlap. It concludes that integrating authentic and transformational leadership may offer a more comprehensive framework for fostering sustainable innovation, teacher well-being, and ethical school cultures.