Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

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 leadershiporganizational agilitydigital-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

More Articles from JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH

The Political Economy of Party Defection in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Author: Michun Wakili Dickson, Sabo Okonu 3Irene Chinasa Kekeocha-Christopher

Leadership Support Systems and Organizational Growth in Deposit Money Banks: Evidence from Rivers State, Nigeria

Author: Anireh, Uchenna Nicholas, Onwuanaku, Blessing, Happiness Nwanyi Elekwachi

The Challenges of Adopting the Responsibility to Protect in the Russian/Ukraine War

Author: Richard ThankGod Wabali Chimezie Chukwuemeka Eze