The Impact of Adaptive Strategic Management and Leadership on Achieving Competitive Advantage in Universities Amidst Technological Changes: Sabratha University as a Model

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the impact of adaptive strategic management and leadership-encompassing strategic orientation, organizational flexibility, technological absorptive capacity, and innovative culture-on achieving competitive advantage at Sabratha University in Libya amidst accelerating technological changes. The study employed a descriptive-analytical methodology, using a questionnaire administered to a sample of (286) academic and administrative leaders and faculty members at Sabratha University. The findings revealed a statistically significant impact (α ≤ 0.05) of the dimensions of adaptive strategic leadership on competitive advantage, with the structural model explaining (61.8%) of the variance in competitive advantage. The results indicated that “organizational flexibility” was the most influential dimension (β=0.34), followed by “technological absorptive capacity” (β=0.29), then “strategic orientation” (β=0.22), and finally “innovative culture” (β=0.17). The study also found statistically significant differences attributable to job position in the perception of adaptive leadership, favoring senior leadership compared to faculty members. The study recommended that Sabratha University adopt the adaptive strategic leadership model as an institutional framework, establish a strategic technological intelligence unit, redesign organizational structures to enhance flexibility, and align educational outcomes with the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.