Islamic Leadership and Organizational Culture in Muhammadiyah Higher Education: The Relationship Between Values and Academic Performance

Abstrak

This study examines how Islamic leadership shapes organizational culture and influences academic performance at Muhammadiyah Universities, taking Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), and Universitas Siber Muhammadiyah (Sibermu) as research subjects. Using a qualitative approach, this study explores the life experiences of lecturers in interpreting values, leadership practices, and relational dynamics that develop in the institutional environment. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and review of institutional documents at the three universities. The findings show that Islamic leadership is understood not only as structural authority but also as a moral example that strengthens work ethic, trust, collaboration, and professionalism oriented towards da'wah. This leadership pattern shapes an organizational culture rooted in Muhammadiyah's reformist values such as wasaṭiyyah, intellectual integrity, and social responsibility, which collectively encourage collaboration, academic productivity, and commitment to community empowerment, including in the context of digital education at Sibermu. However, this study also identifies several challenges, such as communication gaps between managerial and academic units, inconsistencies in the implementation of values, and the need for stronger alignment between Islamic idealism and the process of development.