The Strategic Leadership for Academic Resilience: A Case Study of Graduate School of Business & Leadership of the University of KwaZulu-Natal during Covid-19.

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore how strategic leaders influenced the direction and activities of the Graduate School of Business & Leadership at the University of KwaZulu Natal in leading through disruptive times to ensure academic resilience during Covid-19. Using purposive sampling, academic leaders at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Graduate School of Business were selected as strategic leaders. Sample size of seven senior leaders was used to collect data using semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The results reveal seven themes of how strategic leaders influenced the direction and operation of the school, namely strategic thinking, redesigning of teaching and learning to online platforms, resource allocation, building strategic commitment, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, policy adaptation and facilitation of student support services. coping practices to build academic resilience in crises and adaptive changes are discussed, along with policies adapted for supporting university education during the crisis and post-crisis times, resulting in recommendations for enhancing strategic leadership capabilities and resilience. The study highlights that success in responding to an organisational crisis in a business school is a function of effective strategic leadership supported by tactical and operational leadership commitment. It also brings to the fore the critical role and support that internal and external stakeholders contribute to managing a crisis and ensuring the resilience of business schools during and after a crisis event. The limitations, areas for future research, and recommendations for study regarding strategic leadership, academic resilience, and continuity in the Graduate School of Business of the University of KwaZulu-Natal are highlighted in this study.