An investigation into what the management competencies are during a time of crisis: a university stakeholder perspective

Abstract

The study aims to identify the management competencies needed during the time of crisis at a university as perceived by the stakeholders. The study includes the top tier of management including the Executive Management of the University, as well as Deans of Faculties and Directors of Units, Centres, Divisions and Institutes. This research study explores the specific competencies emphasised in crises and uses the case of a university and its top management tier in the face of the #FeesMustFall onslaught. The researcher tests the perceptions and feelings of the university’s designated stakeholders (staff) with self-administered questionnaires to establish which competencies are present within management during a time of crisis. The reason for this study is to identify the management competencies at play during a time of crisis at a university and to establish university managements as crisis managers.