The elusive Malayan tiger ‘captured’: A systematic review of research on educational leadership and management in Malaysia

Abstract

Substantial progress has been made in the knowledge base of educational leadership and management (EDLM) in societies across the world. However, the evidence base in developing countries such as Malaysia remains limited. Thus, this article reports the results of a systematic review of research on EDLM in Malaysia. The review aimed at describing key features of the Malaysian knowledge base in EDLM with respect to publication volume, journal outlets, types of papers published, distribution of knowledge production across its states and key scholars, and the composition of research topics, methods, and maturity of its knowledge production. The review database encompassed 328 journal articles in English and Malay language published on EDLM in Malaysia. Systematic methods were applied in the identification of sources and data extraction from the journal articles. Data analysis relied primarily on quantitative methods for data interpretation to reveal the variability in patterns of knowledge production in Malaysia EDLM. The review found that the Malaysian literature in EDLM is largely contemporary; however, it is an ‘immature but emerging literature’ which bears similarities to literatures in other developing societies in Asia. Recommendations are made for topics, methods and other areas where capacity development is warranted.