Leadership Pipelines in Succession Planning for School Leaders: A Literature Synthesis and Future Research Agenda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59944/postaxial.v3i4.2222Keywords:
Leadership Pipeline; Succession Planning; Educational Leadership; School Principals; Leadership DevelopmentAbstract
Educational leadership sustainability depends not only on the effectiveness of incumbent school principals but also on the capacity of educational institutions to prepare future leaders systematically. However, succession planning is frequently conceptualized as a replacement mechanism rather than an integrated process of leadership development and organizational continuity. This study aims to synthesize the literature on leadership pipelines and succession planning for heads of educational institutions, clarify their conceptual relationship, and identify priorities for future research. An integrative literature review was employed to examine relevant scholarly publications addressing leadership development, talent identification, competency development, succession processes, and leadership transitions. The literature was analyzed through thematic synthesis to identify recurring concepts, organizational mechanisms, conceptual distinctions, and unresolved research issues. The synthesis generated three interconnected themes. First, leadership pipeline development represents a continuous process of cultivating leadership capabilities through progressive responsibilities, mentoring, coaching, and experiential learning. Second, succession planning functions as a strategic organizational mechanism for anticipating leadership needs, evaluating candidate readiness, preserving institutional knowledge, and supporting leadership transitions. Third, integrating these processes provides a conceptual foundation for aligning individual leadership development with institutional succession requirements. The study advances an integrative perspective that distinguishes leadership pipeline maturity from succession readiness while emphasizing their potential complementarity. It also identifies future research priorities concerning leadership competency assessment, equitable access to developmental opportunities, organizational context, and the relationship between leadership preparation and transition outcomes. This study contributes to educational leadership scholarship by reframing succession as an ongoing organizational capability rather than an isolated appointment decision. Its conceptual propositions require further empirical validation through longitudinal, comparative, and mixed-methods research across diverse educational settings.
References
Ab Talib, M. S. (2017). Motivations and benefits of halal food safety certification. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 8(4), 605–624. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-08-2015-0063
Al Jaber, Z., Hilalludin, H., & Khaer, S. (2025). Transformasi Pendidikan Islam: Peran Madrasah, Pesantren, dan Universitas dalam Menjawab Tantangan Zaman. ABDUSSALAM: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kebudayaan Islam, 1(2), 161–171.
Al-Baihaqi, Z., Haironi, A., & Hilalludin, H. (2024). Strategi Guru Pendidikan Agama Islam dalam Membentuk Karakter Religius. Al-Ihda’: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemikiran, 19(1), 1290–1295.
Ali, M. H., Chung, L., Kumar, A., Zailani, S., & Tan, K. H. (2021). A sustainable Blockchain framework for the halal food supply chain: Lessons from Malaysia. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 170, 120870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120870
Amalia, E., & Musa, E. I. O. (2023). Economic Compatibility of Islamic Economy and Pancasila: Implications for the Postgraduate Curriculum. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Economic Law, 1(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.23917/ijoel.v1i1.3434
Ansori, S. H., & Nugraha, M. S. (2026). Academic Supervision Cycle Based on Classroom Observation and Professional Feedback at MA Al-Ikhlash Cicalengka. MANAZHIM, 8(2), 210–237. https://doi.org/10.36088/manazhim.v8i2.6513
Ardiantono, D. S., Ardyansyah, G. D., Sugihartanto, M. F., Al Mustofa, M. U., & Lisdiantini, N. (2024). Mapping the barrier and strategic solutions of halal supply chain implementation in small and medium enterprises. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(7), 1673–1705. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-08-2022-0229
Azukas, M. E., Dexter, S., & Gibson, D. (2025). An Exploratory Study of Simulations for Leadership Development in the Principal Pipeline. Education Sciences, 15(6), 770. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15060770
Budimanta, A. (2024). Struktur Ekonomi Pancasila (Pancasilanomics). Pancasila: Jurnal Keindonesiaan, 4, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.52738/pjk.v4iX.522
Cansoy, R., Türkoğlu, M. E., & Polatcan, M. (2025). Boosting Classroom Practices Through Principal Feedback: The Mediating Roles of Teacher Professional Learning and Teacher Self‐Efficacy. European Journal of Education, 60(4), e70265. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.70265
Caspillo, M. S. (2025). Mentors’ Supervisory Practices, Teachers’ Professional Development and Instructional Capability. Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(5), 351–355. https://doi.org/10.47760/cognizance.2025.v05i05.022
Diwanti, D. P. (2023). The Study of Business Actors Readiness for the Obligation to Implement Halal Certification in West Nusa Tenggara. Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Islam, 9(3), 3288. https://doi.org/10.29040/jiei.v9i3.10771
Dwita, F., Novialumi, A., Sumardiono, Elliyana, E., Santoso, B., & Zefanya Purba, H. (2026a). The Influence of Supply Chain Digitalization on Halal Supply Chain Implementation in the Halal Industry. Jurnal Minds: Manajemen Ide Dan Inspirasi, 13(1), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.24252/minds.v13i1.61688
Dwita, F., Novialumi, A., Sumardiono, Elliyana, E., Santoso, B., & Zefanya Purba, H. (2026b). The Influence of Supply Chain Digitalization on Halal Supply Chain Implementation in the Halal Industry. Jurnal Minds: Manajemen Ide Dan Inspirasi, 13(1), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.24252/minds.v13i1.61688
Fadhilah, M., & Wasliman, E. D. (2026). Quality Management of Principal Academic Supervision for Enhancing Teacher Pedagogical Competence: A Comparative Case Study of Two Indonesian Elementary Schools. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 5(1), 574–583. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v5i1.2779
Fathorrazi, M., Mahardiyanto, A., Hardinawati, L. U., Zainuri, Suparman, Munir, A., Priyono, A., & Shaleh, M. (2025a). Analysing The Impact of Halal Certification for the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises’ Competitiveness in Besuki Raya, Indonesia. IQTISHODUNA: Jurnal Ekonomi Islam, 14(2), 551–564. https://doi.org/10.54471/iqtishoduna.v14i2.3663
Fathorrazi, M., Mahardiyanto, A., Hardinawati, L. U., Zainuri, Suparman, Munir, A., Priyono, A., & Shaleh, M. (2025b). Analysing The Impact of Halal Certification for the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises’ Competitiveness in Besuki Raya, Indonesia. IQTISHODUNA: Jurnal Ekonomi Islam, 14(2), 551–564. https://doi.org/10.54471/iqtishoduna.v14i2.3663
Fathurrohman, H., & Mirza, I. (2025a). Effectiveness of Academic Supervision by Principals in Improving Teacher Professionalism and Learning Quality. At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 732–739. https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v7i1.1126
Fathurrohman, H., & Mirza, I. (2025b). Effectiveness of Academic Supervision by Principals in Improving Teacher Professionalism and Learning Quality. At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 732–739. https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v7i1.1126
Fathurrohman, H., & Mirza, I. (2025c). Effectiveness of Academic Supervision by Principals in Improving Teacher Professionalism and Learning Quality. At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 732–739. https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v7i1.1126
Fitria, M. A., & Hilalludin, H. (2025). Analisis Keamanan Siber Pada Platform Pendidikan Islam Berbasis Mobile Apps. An-Nuriyah: Journal Of Islamic Technology And Informatics Education, 1(04), 48–59.
Fitria, M. A., Hilalludin, H., & Khoiriyah, F. (2025). Inovasi Manajemen Mutu Sekolah Untuk Meningkatkan Profesionalitas Guru. El-Mudarris: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Dan Kepemimpinan Sekolah, 1(01), 01–14.
Fitriani, N. I., Kumala Ningrum, A., Kelanangame, M., & Soedjono, S. (2026). The Implementation of Clinical Supervision as a Strategy for Enhancing Teachers’ Professional Competence in Senior High Schools: A Case Study. Jurnal Ragam Pengabdian, 3(2), 3703–3716. https://doi.org/10.62710/rcbh7v23
Galvin Sim Siang Lin, Wai Wah Wong, Dara Khorsyiah Yakob, Carey Ai Chen Lim, & Lara T. Friedlander. (2026). Who Will Lead Next? A Qualitative Study on Leadership Succession Planning in a Malaysian Dental School. Education in Medicine Journal, 18(2), 17–32. https://doi.org/10.21315/eimj2026.18.2.2
Greany, T., Thomson, P., Perry, T., & Collins, M. (2026). A pipeline crisis or a sustainability crisis? Local and national succession planning for headteachers in England. British Educational Research Journal, 52(3), 1898–1918. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.70089
Hamid, A. (2024). Implementasi Pancasila dalam Kebijakan Ekonomi di Indonesia. Idarotuna : Journal of Administrative Science, 5(2), 130–145. https://doi.org/10.54471/idarotuna.v5i2.107
Harnano, Y., Saryanto, S., & Jumintono, J. (2026). The Influence of Academic Supervision of Teachers by the Principal on the Improvement of Learning Outcomes. EDUJAVARE: International Journal of Educational Research, 4(02), 173–184. https://doi.org/10.70610/edujavare.1579
Hilalludin, H. (2024). Great Dream of KH Ahmad Dahlan in the Development of Islamic Education in Indonesia. Journal of Noesantara Islamic Studies, 1(3), 123–133.
Hilalludin, H., Wiresti, R., Maryani, E., & Khaer, S. (2025). Syura sebagai Model Pendidikan Kepemimpinan Islam: Membangun Komunikasi Efektif dalam Pengambilan Keputusan Kolektif. Jurnal Ar-Ruhul Ilmi: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemikiran Islam, 1(1), 16–29.
Hussain, S., Debreli, E., & Farman, M. (2025). Sustainable professional growth through digital mentorship: Evidence from language teachers in low-resource settings. Scientific Reports, 16(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-29242-5
Istiqomah, Firdaus, Z., Khomsin, N., & Soedjono. (2026). THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REFLECTION-BASED ACADEMIC SUPERVISION IN ENHANCING TEACHERS’ PROFESIONALISM AT AN INDONESIAN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SOSIOEDUKASI : JURNAL ILMIAH ILMU PENDIDIKAN DAN SOSIAL, 15(1), 775–782. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v15i1.7186
Khoriah, A. (2026). Principal Academic Supervision Management in Improving Teacher Performance. Generasi, 4(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.59784/generasi.v4i2.350
Lorensius, L., Anggal, N., & Lugan, S. (2022). Academic Supervision in the Improvement of Teachers’ Professional Competencies: Effective Practices on the Emergence. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 2(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.35877/454RI.eduline805
Najwa, H., Jannah, S. R., & Pendi, H. Z. (2025). Principal’s Academic Supervision: Enhancing Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence in Junior High Schools. MUMTAZ : Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 5(3), 747–778. https://doi.org/10.69552/mumtaz.v5i3.3662
Natalia, L., Widayatsih, T., & Mahasir, M. (2026). PERAN STRATEGI SUPERVISI AKADEMIK DAN KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN PROFESIONALISME GURU SD. TEACHING : Jurnal Inovasi Keguruan Dan Ilmu Pendidikan, 6(2), 662–676. https://doi.org/10.51878/teaching.v6i2.9545
Nugroho, H., Rejokirono, R., & Supriadi, D. (2026). Optimizing Academic Supervision to Improve Teacher Performance at SD Negeri 2 Tempuranduwur. EDUJAVARE: International Journal of Educational Research, 4(01), 679–688. https://doi.org/10.70610/edujavare.v4i01.1411
Nuraini, N. (2026a). Academic Supervisory Management in Improving the Quality of Teacher Performance at MAN Tarakan. Journal of Education and Teaching Learning, 892–897. https://doi.org/10.59211/mjpjetl.v4i1.240
Nuraini, N. (2026b). Academic Supervisory Management in Improving the Quality of Teacher Performance at MAN Tarakan. Journal of Education and Teaching Learning, 892–897. https://doi.org/10.59211/mjpjetl.v4i1.240
Octaviani, D. (2026). Principal Academic Supervision in Improving Teacher Performance at SD Negeri 004 Mundam, Dumai City. Journal of Education and Teaching Learning, 219–225. https://doi.org/10.59211/mjpjetl.v4i1.182
Pendola, A. (2026). Sorting the Principal Pipeline: Subject-Area Pathways and Career Mobility in School Leadership. American Educational Research Journal, 00028312261465019. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312261465019
Piodena, A. M., Caburnay, D., & Juliano, M. A. (2026). Leadership Succession and Organizational Performance: A Strategic Planning Approach to Educational Management. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 10(3), 8217–8237. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100300597
Ramadan, I., & Soro, S. H. (2025). Quality Management of School Principal Academic Supervision in Improving Elementary School Teacher Performance. Jurnal Iman Dan Spiritualitas, 5(4), 833–848. https://doi.org/10.15575/jis.v5i4.58593
Rina Miftakhi, D. & Yopi Malagola. (2025). Mewujudkan Profesionalisme Guru dalam Mengajar melalui Program Supervisi Akademik Kepala Sekolah. Journal Of Administration and Educational Management (ALIGNMENT), 8(6), 1469–1477. https://doi.org/10.31539/6tnjv239
Sari, R. N. (2025). The Principal’s Academic Supervision on Improving Teachers’ Performance and Students’ Learning Achievement. PPSDP International Journal of Education, 4(2), 559–567. https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v4i2.537
Shafi, A., Hilalludin, H., & Haironi, A. (2024). Pendidikan dan Pranata Sosial: Membentuk Masyarakat Masa Depan. Jurnal Nakula: Pusat Ilmu Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Ilmu Sosial, 2(5), 157–164.
Shofiah, N., & Macariola, J. S. (2025). Implementation of Principal’s Academic Supervision Management in Improving the Quality of Teachers’ Professional Competence. PPSDP International Journal of Education, 4(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v4i1.395
Silalahi, T. Y., Pambayun, N. A. Y., & Safitri, R. (2026). The role of the principal in improving teacher performance through academic supervision. Jurnal Pembangunan Pendidikan: Fondasi Dan Aplikasi, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.21831/jppfa.v13i1.95985
Subaidi, Tantowi, A., Cholid, N., Junaedi, M., Waluyo, & Nursikin, M. (2023). Eco-pesantren: Islamic Education in Forest Conservation Landscapes. Fudan Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 16(4), 541–567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40647-023-00386-w
Sugari, D., Agustiar, A., Shodikin, E. N., Hilalludin, H., & Wahyuni, A. (2025a). Model Manajemen Berbasis Pesantren dalam Penguatan Karakter Peserta Didik. El-Mudarris: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Dan Kepemimpinan Sekolah, 1(01), 38–49.
Sugari, D., Agustiar, A., Shodikin, E. N., Hilalludin, H., & Wahyuni, A. (2025b). Strategi Kepemimpinan Transformasional Kepala Sekolah dalam Membangun Budaya Positif. El-Mudarris: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Dan Kepemimpinan Sekolah, 1(01), 14–25.
Suprapti, I., Kusmawati, R., Arifiyanti, N., & Destiarni, R. P. (2024). Strategic priorities for the development of the halal industry in the region: A case study of Bangkalan Regency. AGRIEKONOMIKA, 14(2), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.21107/agriekonomika.v14i2.33669
Suud Sarim Karimullah. (2025). Pancasila Economy: Forgotten Dream or Weapon Against Inequality? Jurnal Lemhannas RI, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.55960/jlri.v13i1.1023
Thant Sin, K. K. (2023). Teacher learning and professional development in school-university partnership: How do mentors learn? Hungarian Educational Research Journal, 13(1), 121–141. https://doi.org/10.1556/063.2022.00128
Veronita, I., Setiawan, M. D. P., & Kurniawan, M. S. P. (2025). Teacher Performance Management in Supporting Learning Quality at SDI Puspa Bangsa. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Sains Islam Interdisipliner, 205–213. https://doi.org/10.59944/jipsi.v4i3.1637
Widiyanti, W., Harris, T., & Faizin, A. (2026). A Collaborative Based Academic Supervision Model for Enhancing Teacher Performance. TOFEDU: The Future of Education Journal, 5(1), 945–951. https://doi.org/10.61445/tofedu.v5i1.1613
Zepeda, S. J., Bengtson, E., & Parylo, O. (2012). Examining the planning and management of principal succession. Journal of Educational Administration, 50(2), 136–158. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578231211210512
