Faced With Obstacles and Uncertainty: a Thematic Review of Middle Managers in Higher Education

Purpose: This study aims to identify the most prevalent issues, challenges, and uncertainty raised by middle managers and universities in published works from 2012 to 2021. Despite its popularity, there is no review article discussing the issues and difficulties faced by middle managers in higher education. Theoretical Framework: This research draws on two theories, the managerial work theory, which focuses on daily managerial activities and the space, organisation, and management theory, which seeks to understand the space in which middle managers execute their activities and the effects of space on the management team and the organisation. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases were used to identify English-language articles. Using ATLAS.ti 22, this thematic review will synthesise literature regarding middle managers and universities. Finding: This review identified 36 articles containing 19 codes that characterise the approaching issues, problems, and challenges faced by university middle managers, grouped into 4 themes including leadership, financial, resource, and operational challenges. Research Practical/ Social Implications: The middle managers in higher education institutions are given a boost from this study, which recommends ways in which they might improve their competencies and therefore further the institution's sustainability. Originality/Value: This research makes novel contribution to the incipient literature by providing the patterns and trends that could affect how university middle managers work in the future and what their roles will be.