IT Leaders’ Experiences of Resilience during the Pandemic : An Appreciative Inquiry

Authors

  •   Asha Albuquerque Pai Research Scholar (Corresponding Author), Social Work Programme, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
  •   Nikhil Pazhoothundathil N. Research Associate, Transdisciplinary Centre for Qualitative Methods, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka & Research Officer, Population Research Centre, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
  •   Lena Ashok Associate Professor, Social Work Programme, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
  •   Ciraj Ali Mohammed Professor & Deputy Director, CCEID, MAHE & Course Director, MAHE-FAIMER, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka
  •   Varalakshmi Chandra Sekaran Assistant Professor, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2023/v16i4/172787

Keywords:

Resilience

, Leadership, COVID-19, Capabilities, IT Industry, Appreciative Inquiry.

Paper Submission Date

, July 10, 2022, Paper sent back for Revision, March 25, 2023, Paper Acceptance Date, April 5, Paper Published Online, April 15, 2023

Abstract

Purpose : The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that leaders need to have the capacity for resilience. When leaders are confronted with disruptions that are now more of a certainty than a possibility, they must have the ability to bounce back, recover, be agile, and be resilient.

Objective : To explore the resilience experiences of leaders in the information technology (IT) industry (both mid-level and senior leaders) during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, guided by the theory of self-leadership.

Method : Qualitative exploratory study using an appreciative inquiry approach based on 19 mid- and senior-level leaders, both men and women, in the IT Industry in India, chosen purposively. The data in the form of in-depth interviews were analyzed thematically.

Findings : Participants’ experience of resilience during the pandemic was expressed as a capability of leaders, which is inherent in the IT industry, given its dynamism. Various facets of resilience and its impact were highlighted.

Practical Implications : The IT industry disruption is characteristic of the pandemic. Hence, understanding how leaders handled the crisis will help in training and development, talent acquisition, self-development, and a guiding pathway for budding leadership. Resilient leaders can positively impact self-leadership by inspiring individuals to develop self-leadership skills, fostering a culture within their organizations, and increasing team self-efficacy.

Originality : The resilience capabilities of the leaders in the IT industry in India has not been explored qualitatively before, especially during the pandemic.

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Published

2023-04-01

How to Cite

Pai, A. A., N., N. P., Ashok, L., Mohammed, C. A., & Sekaran, V. C. (2023). IT Leaders’ Experiences of Resilience during the Pandemic : An Appreciative Inquiry. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 16(4), 46–60. https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom/2023/v16i4/172787

Issue

Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2023

Section

Articles
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

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