This study aimed to gain insights into the attitudes and strategies of top management regarding workplace happiness within a semi-government organization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Six senior managers at the organization were interviewed to explore their perspectives on employee happiness and the initiatives implemented to enhance it. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts revealed several key findings. Top managers demonstrated strong commitment and willingness to prioritize employee well-being through long-term research-driven improvements. A variety of strategies incorporating personal, organizational, and Human Resources Management (HRM) factors known to impact happiness were utilized. Religious considerations and empowerment initiatives respect personal values while fostering intrinsic motivation. Top leaders modeled strategic priorities through their conduct, emphasizing visible support. The organization balanced individual needs with organizational goals respectfully. The findings provide practical implications for optimizing retention and performance outcomes through dedicated strategic happiness efforts guided by empirical research. However, more extensive research across diverse populations could further advance understanding in this field.

Leisure education has an impact not only on individuals but also on the environment and society. The present study aimed to explore and describe experts’ knowledge and experience about leisure education to develop leadership among youth with physical disabilities. The present study used a qualitative research approach through an exploratory design to answer the research question. Five participants were purposefully recruited and selected based on their expertise in the topic of interest. Participants’ expertise ranged from leisure, recreation, youth and leadership. The participants had experience working in higher education institutions, and community projects, held doctorate qualifications, and have over ten years in this field. Data was collected online using Google Meet software using semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis framework and guidelines. The findings of this study suggest that youth with physical disabilities can develop personal capacity through leisure education programmes. Leisure education programmes can be meaningful to youth with physical disabilities and have a developmental impact, including leadership. Youth with physical disabilities’ capacities and abilities should be nurtured and protected to allow growth and independence. The implications are that leisure education programmes for leadership development must be intentional to achieve the intended outcome.

The study explores the relationship between authentic leadership, psychological capital, and work engagement among educators in the Makhado Municipality. The primary aim was to assess how authentic leadership influences educators’ psychological capital and examine how psychological capital impacts work engagement. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a survey-based approach to collect data from a sample of educators across 15 primary schools within the Makhado Municipality. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the data and test the relationships between authentic leadership, psychological capital, and work engagement. Results indicate that authentic leadership has a significant positive influence on the psychological capital of educators. In turn, psychological Capital was found to have a strong positive impact on work engagement, suggesting that educators who perceive their leaders as authentic are more likely to experience higher levels of psychological well-being and engagement in their work. This study contributes to the literature on leadership and educator well-being by demonstrating the value of authentic leadership in promoting a supportive work environment that enhances educators’ psychological capital and engagement. The educational management and policy implications emphasize the need for leadership development programs that foster authentic leadership behaviors to improve educator performance and overall school effectiveness.

Under the concept of independent maintenance proposed by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for operational equipment, a thorough analysis of its management processes is necessary. Leadership involvement at various levels can affect maintenance outcomes, impacting sustainability. This research creates a thinking model that connects responsible leadership (RL) with sustainable performance (SP) through agile organization (AO) mediation and maintenance management implementation (MMI) in the management of leading operations equipment. The method used was a survey of 366 respondents who were BMKG employees, and explanatory analysis was analyzed based on descriptive statistical analysis using SmartPLS. The research results show that the third hypothesis proposed is acceptable, and the two mediator variables are partial mediation. The discussion of the study results shows some theoretical and practical implications for achieving the goals of SP, where organizations should encourage RL behavior that can implement current practices regarding AO and MMI. The test results show that AO and MMI have a significant role as mediators in encouraging the influence of RL on SP. This study is the first step in examining the relationship of RL to SP using AO and MMI mediation. Furthermore, this model can be developed and analyzed in other sectors or fields to increase knowledge.

This research delves into the intricate dynamics of ethical leadership within the context of Vietnamese Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). By scrutinizing its impact on organizational effectiveness, the study unveils a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness between ethical leadership, knowledge sharing, and organizational learning. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research investigates the mediating roles played by knowledge sharing and organizational learning in the relationship between ethical leadership and organizational effectiveness. Through empirical analysis and case studies, this study contributes valuable insights to the literature, offering practical implications for fostering ethical leadership practices in Vietnamese SMEs to enhance overall organizational effectiveness. The findings shed light on the nuanced mechanisms through which ethical leadership contributes to sustainable success, emphasizing the pivotal roles of knowledge sharing and organizational learning in this intricate relationship.