Influence of Adaptive Leadership on Crisis Preparedness by Public Universities in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2439Abstract
This study examined the influence of adaptive leadership on crisis preparedness in Kenyan public universities. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how adaptive leadership approaches contribute to institutional crisis preparedness. The theoretical framework was grounded in Complexity Leadership Theory. The study employed a positivist philosophy and a survey research design, targeting all 35 public universities in Kenya. The study used primary data that was collected using structured questionnaires. The study applied purposive sampling and selected six key participants from each university for the survey. The study achieved a response rate of 92% with the return of 193 questionnaires from 210 target respondents. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and data confidentiality, were prioritized throughout the research process. Findings showed that adaptive leadership dimensions had significant influence on crisis preparedness in public universities in Kenya as regression analysis confirmed a positive and significant relationship between adaptive leadership and crisis preparedness. The study concludes that adaptive leadership is essential for improving crisis preparedness in public universities in Kenya. The study recommends that public universities invest in leadership training development program focused on adaptive leadership dimensions and its influence on crisis preparedness to enhance crisis preparedness in a dynamic operating environment. It is also recommended that leadership in public universities should adopt flexible decision-making approaches, promote collaboration, and foster a culture of innovation in line with adaptive leadership dimensions to engender crisis preparedness within their institutions.
Keywords: Adaptive Leadership, Crisis Preparedness & Public Universities in Kenya
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