Management and Leadership in Higher Educational Institutions: The New Normal (Post-COVID-19) and Future Scenario

Purpose: The impact of COVID-19 on education management and leadership, particularly in higher educational institutions, has been significant. These institutions used to offer in-person education before the pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HEIs were compelled to temporarily close or transition to online classes. The situation divided the world of education into two clear categories: those with sufficient IT resources to fully support online education and those with limited resources that could only partially do so. Countries that have well-established internet infrastructure are able to operate more efficiently compared to those that experience frequent disruptions. Method: This study utilised a mixed-methods approach. Questionnaires were distributed to collect primary data. A total of367 universitiesfrom Asian countries were included in the sample, out of a total of 5984 universities. Data from the IMF, United Nations (UN), and World Bank was collected for this study. The study employed SEM analysis using PLS SMART software to analyse the variables. Findings: With the assistance of IT, students encountered a lack of in-person interactions due to both full and partial support. Students who had limited access to IT resources encountered greater challenges. Efficient management of online education requires adeptness in agile management and leadership. Thus, the success of universities differed based on managerial expertise, leadership, and utilisation of IT. Currently, we find ourselves in the post-COVID-19 era, where there has been a significant shift towards on-campus education, as well as a combination of online and in-person learning modes. Implication of Research and Practice: The study suggests that effective management and leadership are crucial for ensuring quality education, with technology playing a significant moderating role. The future of education lies in a hybrid model that effectively incorporates IT. (c) 2023 Ani Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.