Abstract
Economic volatility, particularly in fluctuating oil markets and global financial instability, poses significant challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East. In such uncertain environments, adaptive leadership is critical in fostering resilience, ensuring business continuity, and enabling SMEs to navigate crises effectively. This study explores how SME leaders in the Middle East implement adaptive leadership strategies to manage economic disruptions, focusing on decision-making processes, cultural influences, and long-term sustainability.
By employing a mixed-methods approach, the research examines quantitative measures of leadership effectiveness and qualitative insights into SME leaders’ experiences with crisis management. The findings are expected to highlight the importance of agile decision-making, employee empowerment, and strategic foresight in driving SME resilience. However, challenges such as hierarchical leadership structures, cultural resistance to change, and regulatory constraints may hinder the full adoption of adaptive leadership principles.
This study contributes to leadership and crisis management by developing a framework for adaptive leadership tailored to the Middle Eastern SME context. The results provide practical recommendations for business leaders, policymakers, and researchers to enhance organisational agility, crisis preparedness, and long-term sustainability in SMEs operating in volatile economies.