Adaptive Leadership During Crisis: Experiences of Provincial Government Hospital Managers in the Global South

Lorilyn G. Buhat will defend her PhD in Leadership Studies (Business Leadership Track) dissertation entitled "Adaptive Leadership During Crisis:  Experiences of Provincial Government Hospital Managers in the Global South"

April 25, 2024 at 10am to 12pm

Her adviser is Dr Mendiola Teng-Calleja, PhD.

Her panelists are:

Dr Edna P Franco, PhD

Dr Tonirose Mactal, PhD

Dr. Regina Hechanova Alampay, PhD

Dr. Janelle Castro, PhD

Abstract:

Purpose – The study aimed to show how adaptive leadership was employed by government hospital managers during the pandemic and how this shaped organizational outcomes.
Methodology – This study adopted the embedded multi-case design developed by Yin (2018). Respondents included ten middle managers from a provincial government hospital in the Global South who physically attended work at the height of the pandemic. Individual case thematic analysis followed by cross-case analyses were conducted to compare results and establish relationships among themes. 
Findings – Results showed how middle managers navigated through challenges, such as fear, lack of road maps, resources and manpower, health risk, social isolation and discrimination.  Their adaptive decisions include implementing strategic division of tasks, monitoring compliance to COVID protocols, forming hospital online chatgroups, networking, and stress debriefing activities. These decisions mitigated the overwhelming workload, optimized infection control and minimized psycho-emotional burnout.
Practical implications – Findings of this study can guide initiatives of government health institutions in promoting an adaptive stance to service delivery and in developing health leaders adept to crisis management.
Originality/value – This study addresses sparsity of literature on adaptive leadership and its contribution to public health.