Purpose: The performance of an academic institution is widely measured by their research performance. In this regard, the role played by leaders in an academic institution is vital. The focus of this paper is on the role played by academic leadership towards research performance. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study is designed, and data are collected from 267 faculty members from various technical institutes across India through an online survey. A snowball sampling is adopted to reach the data point, and structural equation modeling is used to analyze the relationship using Smart PLS (partial least squares). Findings: The study indicates that leadership in academic setup in developing countries does not directly influence research performance among the faculty members. To enhance research performance, institutes should promote collaboration and facilitate knowledge acquisition and individual development. Practical implications: The proposed model aids the leadership in devising strategies and approaches to encourage collaborations and individual initiatives in an academic setup. Social implications: The study identifies the importance of Individual initiative in Research Performance and knowledge acquisition for Higher Educational Institutions (HEI). Originality/value: This research study is unique because it investigates the relationships between Academic Leadership and Research Performance of engineering faculty in emerging nations.