The Mediating Role of Diplomatic Performances in the Relationship between Strategic Leadership, International Diplomacy, Institutional Capacity, and Foreign Policy Effectiveness: Evidence from Timor-Leste

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-811-5_51How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Strategic Leadership; International Diplomacy; Institutional Capacity; Diplomatic Performance; Foreign Policy Effectiveness; Timor-Leste; PLS-SEM

Abstract

The efficacy of foreign policy must be improved through strategic leadership, institutional capacity, and adaptable diplomatic practices, as small governments are confronted with complex global governance and regional geopolitical dynamics. Timor-Leste, one of the world’s youngest democracies, has encountered challenges in securing its international recognition and achieving critical national interests, including membership in ASEAN. However, there is a scarcity of empirical research on the impact of organizational characteristics on the efficacy of foreign policy in minor state settings. The objective of this investigation is to examine the mediating role of Diplomatic Performance in the relationship between Strategic Leadership, International Diplomacy, Institutional Capacity, and Foreign Policy Effectiveness in Timor-Leste. This research employs a quantitative research design that incorporates Strategic Leadership Theory, Foreign Policy Analysis, Institutional Theory, and Soft Power Theory, as well as Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Data was collected from foreign policy specialists, relevant government bodies, diplomatic missions, and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The results are intended to demonstrate that Foreign Policy Effectiveness is positively influenced by Diplomatic Performance, and Strategic Leadership, International Diplomacy, and Institutional Capacity have a positive impact on Diplomatic Performance. The work makes a theoretical contribution to the literature on public sector management and foreign policy. In practice, it offers suggestions for the enhancement of institutional capacity, the cultivation of leadership, the optimization of human resources, and the integration of Timor-Leste into the regional community.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Ratnofianos Sani Antonio Usfinit
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/29
TI  - The Mediating Role of Diplomatic Performances in the Relationship between Strategic Leadership, International Diplomacy, Institutional Capacity, and Foreign Policy Effectiveness: Evidence from Timor-Leste
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Business, Economic, and Social Sustainability (ICOBES 2026)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 651
EP  - 665
SN  - 2352-5428
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-811-5_51
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-811-5_51
ID  - Usfinit2026
ER  -