Expectations and reality: towards management programs for academic leaders in higher education

Purpose: The study aims to enrich the discourse surrounding the necessity of managerial education for academic leaders ascending to university senior and middle management positions, such as deans and associate deans. The paper builds on the studies by Preston and Price (2012) and Floyd (2016) who point out that there is often no formal training for academics in new leadership positions. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative case study, complemented by qualitative content analysis using a deductive approach, was applied to examine data from open-ended questionnaires filled out by participants of the "Deans Academy" managerial training program. Findings: The study identifies the need for management training among deans and associate deans, guided by a feedback-driven approach. It also outlines key competencies and knowledge areas to be incorporated into development programs for academic leaders. Research limitations/implications: The findings are not universally applicable to the educational needs of all deans or academic managers, given the small sample size, the project's online-only format, and the recruitment of participants from a single organization. For a broader understanding, further research is encouraged across different higher education institutions and varied managerial training programs. Practical implications: This study provides valuable insights for developing training program curricula tailored for academics in managerial roles within higher education institutions. Originality/value: The research adopts an innovative "expectations and reality" framework, rooted in Experiential Learning Theory (ELT), to generate detailed evidence for creating effective managerial training programs for executive roles in academia. The insights gained contribute to the current understanding of support and training needs for senior and middle managers in higher education. The findings are particularly relevant for educators, academics, and HR professionals in higher education involved in designing and implementing training programs aimed at enhancing managerial skills in academia.