Abstract Book of the 9th International Conference on Social Sciences in the 21st Century
Year: 2025
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Applying Future-Focused Leadership Competencies to Transform HEIs In South Africa
Dr. Alane Naidoo
ABSTRACT:
This research aims to critically analyse employees’ perceptions concerning how and to what extent senior managers in an identified higher education institution (HEI) apply future-focused leadership competencies to transform the institution and ensure sustainability. In a world challenged by unprecedented social and environmental changes, categorised by disruptive rapid technological changes and digitisation, how organisations function and how they provide services must be aligned with these changes. Since the primary function of HEIs is to prepare the current and succeeding generations for this world that they live in and will work in, the imperative is for HEIs to drive this change that will meet the agenda for a world that is in a constant state of flux. For HEIs to be forward-thinking and sustainable, they must realise the exigency for future-focused leadership within the organisation to survive in this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) landscape. This study adopted a qualitative case study research strategy underpinned by future-focused leadership theories. The target population for this study consisted of academic employees from the identified HEI using purposive sampling. Four junior and four middle management employees were selected from different departments. Data for this study was collected using semi-structured one-on-one interviews and analysed using content analysis. Key findings indicated that a hierarchical culture perpetuated by the institution does not enable middle management to act with courage and influence and do without fear, which transforms HEIs and promotes sustainability. It is therefore recommended that HEI leadership apply future-focused leadership competencies and embark upon reflective practice to transform HEIs to align with the current VUCA landscape.
Keywords: VUCA environment, sustainability, digitization, succeeding generations, constant state of flux