Relationship between Organizational Culture and Leadership Competence among Middle Managers in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region XI

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between organizational culture and the leadership competence of middle managers in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region XI to provide empirical evidence on how the organizational culture influences the leadership the leadership competence of middle managers in higher education institutions. Utilizing a non-experimental quantitative method and a descriptive correlational design, the research was carried out in Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental during the first semester of School Year 2025–2026. Data were collected from 36 middle managers through an adopted survey questionnaire administered via Google Forms, using convenient sampling. Descriptive statistics, specifically mean and standard deviation, were used to determine the perceived levels of organizational culture and leadership competence, while Spearman’s rho was employed to test the significance of their relationship. Findings revealed that middle managers rated both organizational culture and leadership competence as high to very high across all dimensions, indicating a positive organizational environment and strong leadership practices. Moreover, results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between organizational culture and leadership competence, rs(34) = .345, p = .040, demonstrating that enhanced organizational culture is associated with greater leadership competence. The study underscores the crucial role of supportive and mission-oriented organizational cultures in fostering effective leadership among middle managers in higher education institutions.