Resilient Leadership of Administrators in Private Universities in Shaanxi Province of China in the VUCA Era

Abstract

This study investigates resilient leadership among administrators in private universities in Shaanxi Province of China, within the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) era, a period marked by rapid societal shifts—such as technological disruptions, policy fluctuations, and demographic changes—that demand adaptive leadership strategies. The research pursues three primary objectives: (1) to identify the core components of resilient leadership, (2) to develop and validate a comprehensive model of resilient leadership, and (3) to propose actionable guidelines for enhancing this leadership style. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study integrates qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with eight expert administrators, quantitative data from a questionnaire survey yielding 397 valid responses, and qualitative insights from focus group discussions (FGD) with eight participants. The results, validated through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with robust fit indices (CMIN/df = 1.664, RMSEA = 0.041, CFI = 0.959), reveal seven key components of resilient leadership: Performance Orientation, Innovation and Adaptive Capacity, Sustainability Values and Beliefs, Learning Ability, Healthy Culture, Risk Management and Buffering Capacity, and Change Orientation. Supplementary dimensions, such as Digital Competency and Stakeholder Engagement, emerged as critical for modern leadership demands. The analysis highlights Learning Ability and Sustainability Values and Beliefs as notable strengths among administrators, while identifying Performance Orientation, Innovation and Adaptive Capacity, Healthy Culture, Risk Management, and Change Orientation as areas requiring significant improvement. The study concludes with tailored guidelines, including modular training programs to build skills, policy reforms to support institutional resilience, and cultural initiatives—such as “Mental Health Days”—to foster a supportive environment. These findings provide a practical and theoretically grounded framework for Shaanxi’s private universities to navigate VUCA challenges, contributing to enhanced educational resilience, sustainable institutional growth, and alignment with national educational modernization goals.