The case study presented reflects the experience of university academics in middle management leadership roles - Heads of School, Associate Deans and Deputy Deans. As part of this presentation, a brief introduction to complexity theory will be provided to highlight how it was used as a strategic thinking approach, demonstrate how the institution is a complex adaptive system, and then highlight key pressure points and experiences of middle managers. Finally, how complexity theory can be used in practice as a method to underpin analysis and action will be considered.

Participants have undertaken leadership roles during periods of organisational change and low staff morale. The design for this study has been positioned within a qualitative paradigm using a case study approach and utilised purposive sampling as it took place in a particular context with a specific leadership group selected for their expertise and experience of middle management leadership roles.

Two key data collection methods were used: document analysis and semi-structured interviews. Institutional documents most accurately reflect the work done by middle managers week to week. A cursory document analysis was completed to determine the various activities undertaken while semi-structured interviews were completed to compare and contrast experiences.

The specific phenomena of self-organisation is examined as the typical hierarchical approach taken in management and leadership is being challenged as pockets of the organisation move to distributed leadership approaches and nuanced local practice.

Authors:
Lucie Zundans-Fraser, Charles Sturt University, Australia

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Lucie Zundans-Fraser is currently Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Charles Sturt University, Australia.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark

---

A Note to Presenters

To enhance academic profiles and showcase research, we encourage all presenters and co-presenters to include links to their public LinkedIn, ResearchGate profile, and research websites. Presenters may update their bio for their presentation by completing the form linked below by October 22, 2024.
- Presenter Information Update Form
Submitted changes will be reflected on November 01, 2024

Additionally, presenters should also update their IAFOR account details if there have been any changes to affiliations or biographies.
- https://submit.iafor.org/my-account/edit-account