JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )

E-ISSN 2504-883X
P-ISSN 2695 2432
VOL. 10 NO. 6 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jpslr.v10.no6.2024.pg179.198


Digital Transformation Leadership and Organizational Agility

Sholokwu, Boniface Monday


Abstract


This study explores the relationship between digital transformation leadership and organizational agility, focusing on how leadership in the digital age influences organizations’ ability to adapt to change and stay competitive. The primary objectives include determining the relationship between a digital-first mindset and resilience, as well as examining the link between strategic alignment and organizational resilience. The theoretical framework is grounded in Contingency Theory, highlighting the importance of aligning organizational structures and strategies with environmental demands to achieve agility. A conceptual review of relevant literature reveals that effective digital leadership is critical for fostering innovation, driving change, and enhancing agility in the face of technological disruptions. The study identifies significant gaps in the current literature, particularly regarding the direct impact of digital transformation leadership on organizational agility. The findings emphasize the need for organizations to prioritize leadership development, digital literacy, and strategic alignment to succeed in the digital transformation process. Recommendations include investing in leadership training programs, enhancing employee adaptability, and considering regional technological constraints when implementing digital initiatives.


keywords:

Digital transformation leadership, organizational agility, digital-first mindset,


References:


Andersson, M., Janson, S., & Jönsson, B. (2018). Digital transformation and organizational
change: The role of leadership in the fourth industrial revolution. Journal of
Organizational Change, 31(6), 1234-1247. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-05-2018-
0169
Acur, N., Kandemir, D., & Ebrahimpour, M. (2012). The role of dynamic capabilities in achieving
strategic alignment. International Journal of Production Economics, 137(1), 1-13.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2011.12.020
Al Khalifa, A. M. (2016). The impact of business and IT strategy alignment on organizational
performance in public enterprises. International Journal of Information Technology
and Management, 15(4), 212-227. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJITM.2016.078934
Angulo-Ruiz, F., García-Morales, V. J., & Lloréns-Montes, F. J. (2019). Strategic alignment and
innovation in public organizations: The role of management information systems.
Journal
of
Business
Research,
104,
144-156.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.004



Bhamra, R., & Dani, S. (2011). Resilience in the supply chain: The role of agility and adaptability.
International
Journal
of
Production
Research,
49(18),
5375-5393.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2011.554832
Bharadwaj, A., El Sawy, O., Pavlou, P., & Venkatraman, N. (2013). Digital business strategy:
Toward a next generation of insights. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 471-482.
https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2013/37.2.05
Biggs, P., Brush, C., & Manolova, T. (2014). The role of employees in strategic alignment. Journal
of Business Research, 67(6), 975-984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.11.019
Cardoso, M., & Ramos, D. (2016). The role of resilience in adapting to organizational challenges.
Journal
of
Organizational
Change
Management,
29(5),
725-742.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-06-2015-0146
Cegarra-Navarro, J. G., Wensley, A., & Sanchez, R. (2016). Strategic agility and organizational
resilience in the face of dynamic competition. Journal of Business Research, 69(4),
1239-1246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.07.016
Chen, J. C., & Huang, J. (2008). Understanding the determinants of strategic alignment and its
impact on organizational performance. International Journal of Management, 25(2),
21-30.
Chi, M. T., Dozier, B., & Hung, Y. (2020). The importance of aligning corporate strategies with
technology.
Strategic
Management
Journal,
41(10),
1742-1760.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3193
Doz, Y. L. (2020). From strategy to agility: Resilience and innovation in the digital age.
International
Business
Review,
29(2),
1-18.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101709
Doz, Y. L., & Kosonen, M. (2010). Embedding strategic agility: A leadership agenda for
accelerating business model renewal. Long Range Planning, 43(2-3), 370-382.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2010.02.001
Dweck, C. S. (2007). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
Fiedler, F. E. (1967). A theory of leadership effectiveness. McGraw-Hill.
Goldman, S. L., Nagel, R. N., & Preiss, K. (2005). Agile competitors and virtual organizations:
Strategies for enriching the customer. Van Nostrand Reinhold.



Günzel-Jensen, F., Nielsen, B. B., & Kristensen, M. B. (2018). Leadership philosophies and their
role in promoting creativity in digital leadership. Leadership & Organization
Development Journal, 39(4), 561-578. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-02-2017-0041
Gupta, A. K., & Govindarajan, V. (2002). Knowledge management’s social dimension: Lessons
from Nucor Steel. MIT Sloan Management Review, 43(3), 71-80.
Hamel, G., & Prahalad, C. K. (1994). Competing for the future. Harvard Business Press.
Hanelt, A., Bohnsack, R., Marz, D., & Baier, M. (2020). Digital transformation of business models
– Best practices from Germany. Journal of Business Research, 116, 158-176.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.013
Hanelt, A., Bohnsack, R., Marz, D., & Tesch, J. F. (2020). Digital transformation of business
models—Best practices in the industry. Journal of Business Research, 122, 451-464.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.061
Hambrick, D. C., & Mason, P. A. (1984). Upper echelons: The organization as a reflection of its
top
managers.
Academy
of
Management
Review,
9(2),
193-206.
https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1984.4277628
Henderson, J. C., & Venkatraman, N. (1993). Strategic alignment: A model for organizational
transformation through information technology. IBM Systems Journal, 32(1), 4-16.
https://doi.org/10.1147/sj.321.0004
Henderson, J. C., & Venkatraman, N. (1993). Strategic alignment: Leveraging information
technology for transforming organizations. IBM Systems Journal, 32(1), 4-16.
https://doi.org/10.1147/sj.321.0004
Holbeche, L. (2018). The agile organization: How to build an adaptable organization. Kogan
Page.
Jacobsen, H., & Johnsen, P. A. (2020). Strategic alignment in public sector organizations: A
research
agenda.
Public
Administration
Review,
80(5),
799-811.
https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13157
Johnson, A., & Martinez, G. (2019). Enhancing resilience through agility in manufacturing firms.
Journal
of
Manufacturing
Processes,
46,
361-369.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmapro.2019.08.005
Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., & Kiron, D. (2015). Strategy, not technology, drives
digital
transformation.
MIT
Sloan
Management
Review,
56(3),
1-26.



https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/strategy-not-technology-drives-digital-
transformation/
Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., & Kiron, D. (2019). Achieving digital transformation:
What’s the role of leadership? Journal of Business Research, 124, 98-109.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.027
Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., Kiron, D., & Buckley, N. (2020). Achieving digital
transformation: The role of leadership in crisis recovery. MIT Sloan Management
Review.
Kosonen, M., & Doz, Y. (2010). Strategic agility: A conceptualization and a framework for future
research.
International
Journal
of
Strategic
Management,
31(5),
3-19.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0331.2010.00588.x
Linnenluecke, M. K., Griffiths, A., & Simmonds, D. (2020). Resilience in organizations: A critical
review of the literature and conceptualization. Australian Journal of Management,
45(2), 227-245. https://doi.org/10.1177/0312896218793130
Magesa, M., & Jonathan, M. (2022). Characteristics of digital leadership: A factor analysis
approach. Journal of Leadership and Digital Transformation, 14(1), 25-40.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JLDT-2022-0045
McAdam, R., Keogh, W., & McConville, T. (2019). Strategic alignment and innovation in
organizations. Innovation Management and Policy Review, 12(3), 23-37.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IMP-11-2018-0644
Mihardjo, L. W., & Sasmoko, S. (2019). The role of digital leadership in organizational
transformation.
Journal
of
Business
and
Management,
23(2),
1-12.
https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1992.23.02.252
Neeley, T. B., & Leonardi, P. M. (2022). Digital-first mindsets and their role in organizational
resilience and success. Harvard Business Review.
Olaleye, O. O., Ojo, S. O., & Adefolalu, A. O. (2021). The relationship between innovation,
strategic agility, and business resilience in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Journal of
Business and Management, 23(5), 50-63. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2021.23505
Petrucci, F., & Rivera, S. (2018). Digital transformation in the workplace: The shift towards a
technology-driven workforce. Journal of Business Technology, 29(6), 45-56.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbt.2018.05.003



Popovi-Panti?, D., Vasiljevi?, D., & Jovanovi?, P. (2019). Gender and digital transformation: A
case study of women-owned businesses. International Journal of Business and Social
Scien


DOWNLOAD PDF

Back


Google Scholar logo
Crossref logo
ResearchGate logo
Open Access logo
Google logo