The Leader-Member Exchange Theory and the Transformational Theory in Distance Higher Education: Bibliographical Review

Abstract

This systematic review presents the Leader-Member Exchange – LMX and the Transformational Theory – TFL as complementary theories of leadership in Distance Education through studies and researches on the subject. The LMX theory is considered to be the only leadership theory that focuses on the quality of the relationships between the leader and his followers while the TFL and its inner characteristics render it as extremely adjustable in the Distant Education environment. The sustainability and success of Distance Learning depend on the effective leadership and the understanding of the way that the distant education leaders effectively behave can be found in the LMX theory. The changes that are done globally, as they have been recorded recently because of the global pandemic, also impose changes for the higher education. While moving from the old to the new, the leaders will have to acquire a new vision that will incorporate new technologies, create facilities and support sustainable programs for distant learning. As the present research demonstrates, the leadership theories are also relevant in teaching, because the tuition as well as the leadership of every organization are composed of an interactive system that is recommended for communication, control and coordination of activities.