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Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context
Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Change Leadership))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613480425619456 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Joseph Renjini |
| author_browse | Joseph Renjini |
| author_facet | Joseph Renjini |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Change Leadership))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109666 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:49.219Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109666 Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context Joseph Renjini ichelp@gibs.co.za Simelane, Jazman UCTD Adaptive leadership Adaptive performance Psychological safety Mini Dissertation (MPhil (Change Leadership))--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study explored the experience and implementation of adaptive leadership in South African aviation organisations, a sector characterised by regulatory complexity, technological upheaval, and strict safety standards. The research aimed to understand the interaction between leadership behaviours, organisational conditions, and employee adaptation in maintaining performance amid a changing environment. Using an interpretivist worldview and a phenomenological approach, the study employed qualitative methods, including 16 semi-structured interviews with leaders and employees from various aviation organisations. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns of meaning within participants' lived experiences. The findings show that adaptive leadership in aviation is marked by evidence-based decision-making, empowerment, and the creation of psychological safety. Organisational structures and cultures either support or hinder adaptation, with decentralised decisionmaking and alignment of policies and practices identified as key enablers. Resilience, learning agility, proactivity, emotional intelligence, and especially spiritual grounding all enhance an employee's capacity to adapt. The research suggests that adaptive leadership and adaptive performance are interconnected processes fostered by a culture that emphasises learning within the organisation. The study introduces an improved conceptual framework that integrates leadership, organisational, and individual elements of adaptability, offering practical guidance for developing adaptable capabilities in safetycritical environments. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MPhil (Change Leadership) Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth 2026-04-21T08:47:41Z 2026-04-21T08:47:41Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109666 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Adaptive leadership Adaptive performance Psychological safety Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| title | Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| title_full | Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| title_fullStr | Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| title_short | Exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the South African aviation industry, and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| title_sort | exploring how adaptive leadership is enacted and experienced in the south african aviation industry and how it influences employee adaptive performance in a complex and evolving operational context |
| topic | UCTD Adaptive leadership Adaptive performance Psychological safety |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109666 |