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To cope with the existing pandemic situation and to be organizationally responsive, firms need to be strategically flexible, where they need to develop dynamic capabilities (DCs) by continuously reconfiguring their resource base. To address such challenges, firms heavily rely on information and communication technologies (ICT) because of advancement in disruptive technologies. This study aims to explore techniques used by higher education institutional (HEI) leaders to successfully address challenges posed by global disruption, i.e. COVID-19 with the help of advanced ICT software such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.

A qualitative approach was adopted to explore strategic factors such as strategic flexibility (SF) and DC that disclose shortcomings in the current extant literature. A total of 15 interviews were conducted with heads of departments of HEIs in the United Arab Emirates. Data were analyzed using NVivo software.

The findings suggested three dimensions of SF (resources, operational and collaborative) and four dimensions of DC (strategic planning, innovative, adaptability and technological) for firms to adopt to be strategically flexible, where DC serves as building blocks of SF.

This research provides a framework as an avenue for future researchers and practitioners on how to strategically manage their resources and be strategically flexible in turbulent environment such as pandemics. Theory-based investigations on strategic capabilities and DC from resource-based perspective are still under-researched, emphasizing the need for theoretically based research on strategic responsiveness, especially during the times of environmental complexities such as COVID-19 pandemics. This research enriches strategic management research by exploring the important antecedents of organizational responsiveness, including SF and DC together with the support of human factor, i.e. leadership qualities of HEIs managers. This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is among the first to systematically explore main dimensions of DC and SF based on the resource-based theory of strategic management in the Middle Eastern context.

This paper aims to examine internal market orientation (IMO), potential building capabilities and value realizing capabilities, i.e. dynamic capabilities (DC) as an antecedent of resource recombination in higher education institutions of the United Arab Emirates.

Data was collected from 349 faculty members and analyzed using the covariance-based structural equation modeling technique.

Results did not support a direct relationship between IMO and resource recombination. However, results did provide support for IMO’s significant impact on potential building and value realizing capabilities. The impact of potential building capabilities on resource recombination was partially supported, whereas the impact of value realizing capabilities on resource recombination was fully supported.

This study provides guidelines for the higher education managers, especially for the strategic management of its resources. The study also provides a basis for improving internal market policies to remain abreast of DC to succeed in the market. Most significantly, the findings of the study offer guidance toward effective resource planning and innovative management practices.

This study identifies the essential resources and capabilities framework that guides firms to modify their capabilities in the face of changing environment.

This study aims to contribute to the current Green human resource management (HRM) field by providing an empirical examination of a comprehensive model that tests the effect of green strategic intent on Green HRM implementation, the possible effect of Green HRM and green empowerment on circular economy, and the effect of circular economy on sustainable performance. It examines the mediating effect of circular economy on the link between Green HRM and sustainable performance.

The study is empirical in nature. It focuses on the service sector in Qatar. Managers that work in the service sector represent the study participants. 149 questionnaires were collected and 131 completed questionnaires were used in the analysis. An advanced Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) analysis was conducted to reveal the study results.

The study findings confirmed the positive effect of green strategic intent on Green HRM, the positive link between Green HRM and green empowerment on circular economy, and the positive relationship between circular economy and sustainable performance. It also confirms the indirect effect of circular economy on the link between green HRM and sustainable performance.

Because of the chosen research approach and the focus on the service sector in Qatar only, research results may lack generalizability.

This study provides important implications for practice on how to improve Green HRM practices; particularly for its unique context, the Qatari service sector.

This study is considered original since it is one of the few to examine a conceptual framework that links Green HRM, circular economy and sustainable performance.