Leadership Qualities of the Mayors Enhancing Effectiveness in the Management in The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Area

Abstract

This study aimed (1) to explore the level of leadership qualities and effectiveness in the mayors’ management in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) area and examine the relationship between leadership qualities and effectiveness of mayors’ management, (2) to explore the problems and barriers of the mayors in the EEC area, (3) to explore factors that lead to the efficient management of the mayors. Methodology: A mixed methods design, concurrent embedded strategy was employed, a qualitative based on grounded theory (GT). However, the quantitative method was descriptive study. 

Results revealed that: (1) The mayors’ leadership qualities and effectiveness of management were high level, leadership qualities, and effectiveness in the mayors’ management were positive relating (r =.884, p< .001). (2) The problems and barriers were (a) environmental negative impacts, (b) the increasing number of populations in the EEC area, (c) insufficient resources, and (d) the people’s needs were not met.  (3) The factors that lead to the effectiveness of the mayors’ management and constructing a conceptual framework of grounded theory included 5 themes. These were (a) learning to know and adapt to EEC impacts, (b) enhancing communication and improving technological use, (c) creating a network, coordination, and enhancing people participation, (d) honesty, emotional quotient (EQ), and intent on public interest, (e) decentralization, and providing adequate budgeting support to the Local Government by the Government and EEC.