Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management

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


Affiliations
1 Research Scholar (Corresponding Author), Social Work Programme, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
2 Research Associate, Transdisciplinary Centre for Qualitative Methods, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
3 Associate Professor, Social Work Programme, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
4 Professor & Deputy Director, CCEID, MAHE & Course Director, MAHE-FAIMER, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
5 Assistant Professor, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
     

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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.


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, 2023 ; Paper Published Online : April 15, 2023

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

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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, India
Nikhil Pazhoothundathil N.
Research Associate, Transdisciplinary Centre for Qualitative Methods, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
Lena Ashok
Associate Professor, Social Work Programme, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
Ciraj Ali Mohammed
Professor & Deputy Director, CCEID, MAHE & Course Director, MAHE-FAIMER, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India
Varalakshmi Chandra Sekaran
Assistant Professor, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India

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.


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, 2023 ; Paper Published Online : April 15, 2023


References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17010/pijom%2F2023%2Fv16i4%2F172787