Abstract:

The article is dedicated to the way instructors of higher education institutions have coped with the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries of the Middle East— the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. The research was carried out using qualitative design. Data were collected during semi-structured interviews with 15 respondents who work at higher education establishments of these countries. Observations were used as an auxiliary instrument. The results are summarized in the form of five cases that reflect different strategies and reactions of instructors to address the stressful emergency conditions. The research revealed the following behavioral patterns: Survivor, Victim, Skeptic, Promoter, and One of the Crowd. Coping strategies were differentiated through information consumption, information dissemination, assertiveness, and anxiety level. Respondents demonstrated shrinkage of planning horizons, caused by the pandemic and economic downfall. The research showed that respondents had increased levels of anxiety, which should be addressed by academic managers.