Leadership Characteristics In A Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity And Ambiguity (Vuca) Environment, A Case Study Of Zimbabwe Hospitality Industry During Covid 19 Era.
Francis Manyanga
Bindura University of Science Education: Graduate School of Business. ZIMBABWE
Judith Nwenje
Bindura University of Science Education: Graduate School of Business. ZIMBABWE
Keywords: VUCA, COVID-19, Pandemic, Disruptive technology, Hospitality Industry.
Abstract
Organisations across the globe are experiencing highest levels of uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the impact of which is unprecedented. Industries have been experiencing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) frequently. The study sought to evaluate the leadership characteristics in a VUCA environment in with the hospitality industry during Covid 19 era. Researchers in their earlier studies have identified various VUCA factors and challenges that have influenced these organisations during various crisis situations such in other industries such as IT, (Information Technology) and other industries. However, there is lack of research that explains challenges faced in the presence of a Covid 19 pandemic in hospitality sector in Zimbabwe. The outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic in the year 2020 has led to industries crippling and hospitality industry is no exception. Therefore, this generates a need to identify various leadership characteristics in hospitality sector in the context of a pandemic environment. The literature in the paper has been enriched with different studies across the globe. The research used both quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore the topic under study.
The study used both primary and secondary data. Questionnaires and interviews were used as part of the data gathering instruments for primary data. On sampling, both random and non-random sampling techniques were used to obtain data from participants who are employees of hotels in Zimbabwe. While for secondary data, documentary analysis of previous research done by other scholars, media circulations, internal circulars were used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data obtained from the respondents. Use of SPSS for quantitative and Nvivo for qualitative data analyse were used, with correlation and regression analysis applied to evaluate the relationship between the preparedness and survival in the VUCA environment. The major findings of the study revealed that Zimbabwe’s hospitality industry is in Covid 19 induced VUCA environment. The study established that possession of certain skills-set coupled with preparation enhance chances of an organisation’s survival in a VUCA. The study recommended that hotels need to invest more in workshops and trainings of leadership personnel to acquire and there is need to improve on critical skills in business such as agility, flexibility, decisiveness amongst others. The leaders must be innovate and adaptive to the pandemic era. They must follow WHO guidelines and practice effective communication to staff and guests.