Crisis management in higher education institutions: The case of Mardin Artuklu University on COVID 19 measures (A case study)

Developments in many fields in recent years have had a significant impact on educational organizations. These developments cause organizations to face concepts such as uncertainty, depression, chaos, risk, depression, the need for renewal and change. The negative effects of the recent coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis on educational organizations have increased the importance of research related to the crisis. This research aims to evaluate the efforts to manage the crisis situation that emerged after the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic in the example of Mardin Artuklu University, according to the views of administrators, academic staff, administrative staff and students. In the research, sequential exploratory design, one of the mixed research methods, was used. In this context, first of all, quantitative research was carried out in the research. The quantitative data of the study were collected and evaluated with the 'Crisis Management Scale'. In the qualitative dimension, which is the second stage of the research, the opinions of the administrators, students, academic and administrative staff on the coronavirus pandemic crisis were taken with the semi-structured interview form created by the researcher by seeking expert opinions to detail and support the quantitative data. The universe of the research consists of participants working and studying at Mardin Artuklu University in the 2021-2022 academic year. Since the number of personnel in the universe was 781 and it was accessible for the collection of quantitative data, it was not necessary to take a sample, and the scale was applied to all personnel. In the collection of qualitative data, criterion sampling and maximum variation sampling method of purposeful sampling method were used. Percentage, frequency, independent groups t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the quantitative findings of the research. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of quantitative findings. According to the results of the research, according to the evaluation of the data obtained from the crisis management scale, significant differences were found in the views of administrators, students, academic and administrative staff in the management of the coronavirus crisis in the variables of gender, age, education status and task. According to the participants, it was concluded that the preparedness of the institutions as a result of the crisis had a significant effect on preventing the crisis or the magnitude of the damage it caused to the institution. It has been concluded that the crisis was slightly overtaken by the crisis management strategies put forward by Mardin Artuklu University, which is the subject of the research, during the crisis. It has been understood that being prepared for the distance education process and the necessary technological infrastructure has a significant impact on the tangential passing of the crisis. Again, according to the results of the research, it has been determined that there are problems in accessing education due to the lack of individual equipment and inadequacies in the ability to use technology. Within the scope of the results obtained, it is important that all stakeholders of educational institutions have the necessary skills and equipment in order to be prepared for similar crises. In addition, it has been understood that the existence of crisis management skills is of vital importance for institutions.