Leadership and Student Organization Management Capability: Empirical Evidence from IIB Darmajaya

Abstract

Research Aims: This study develops an analytically transparent account of how leadership quality, managerial competence, integrity and ethics, organizational experience, and adaptability relate to student organization management capability in the student interest and talent development setting of IIB Darmajaya. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a quantitative explanatory design using empirical responses from 30 program managers and mentors across three student organization management periods. The instrument consisted of 21 indicators measured on a seven-point Likert scale. Item quality and reliability were assessed using item-total correlation and Cronbach’s alpha, followed by diagnostic assumption testing and multiple linear regression analysis. Research Findings: The empirical model is statistically significant and explains 58.5% of the variance in student organization management capability, with an adjusted R² of 49.9%. Integrity and ethics emerge as the strongest unique predictor, followed by experience and track record and leadership. Meanwhile, managerial competence and adaptability do not demonstrate significant unique effects after controlling for the other predictors. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The article positions ethical legitimacy as the central governance mechanism in student organizations, extending ethical leadership reasoning to voluntary student-led management. It also provides empirical evidence for informing institutional mentoring, selection, and governance priorities in student organization management. Keywords: Leadership, Integrity and Ethics, Student Organization Management, Governance Capability, Managerial Competence