The Role of Strategic Thinking in Achieving Competitive Advantage: A Field Study in Private Universities in the Capital Sana’a, Yemen.

This study aimed to investigate the role of strategic thinking dimensions (future vision, organized thinking, opportunity thinking, creative thinking, timely thinking) in achieving a competitive advantage in the private universities in the capital, Sana'a. The descriptive analytical method was used and a questionnaire was used as the main tool for data collection in this survey study. The population of the study consisted of the employees of senior leadership, including (rectors, deputies, deans, vice deans, general managers, department directors, and heads of academic and administrative departments in the Yemeni private universities in the capital Sana’a during 2025l. The study sample comprised of (335) participants. The questionnaire was distributed to all (250) participants, (242) of which were retrieved and were valid for data analysis. The data were processed and analyzed using (SPSS) program and Partial Least Square-structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).The results revealed that there is a positive role of strategic thinking in achieving a competitive advantage in the Yemeni private universities. The results also found that the leaders of the private Yemeni universities have much interest in strategic thinking and its dimensions by focusing on the future vision of private universities, organized thinking, opportunity thinking, creative thinking, and timely thinking. In light of the findings, the study concluded with certain recommendations, most notably, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the capabilities and skills of senior and middle leaders of Yemeni private universities in strategic thinking for its role in achieving the goals of private universities, which as a result achieving a competitive advantage.