Qualitative approach : managers responses to a crisis in South African construction industry

Abstract

In todays’ evolving business environment, crises are becoming more common and severe. The importance of leadership in handling such difficulties is paramount. The study sought to investigate how leaders in the South African construction industry respond to crisis, mainly focusing on their decision-making methods, communication approaches and risk management techniques. This investigation is significant as leadership is essential in steering through crises and lessening their effects on companies. The study used a qualitative approach with purposive sampling to select managers for interviews, and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. By situating its findings within existing literature, the study aimed to enhance the theoretical understanding of crisis management and crisis leadership. It offers a framework that explains how leader characteristics and crisis context influence behaviour that drives outcomes. The Study concludes that crisis leadership is a multidisciplinary approach to crisis management. The findings provide actionable insights into effective crisis management strategies that can be adopted by construction firms. They improve the understanding of crisis management literature by providing empirical evidence on the specific leadership behaviours and strategies that contribute to effective crisis response. The study also suggests avenues for future research and practice.