Purpose
New leadership challenges arise through digital transformation and new digital technologies, such as AI, profoundly impacting leadership. As academic research in this area is still very limited, this research cluster addresses two important sub-clusters: (1) digital leadership and (2) AI-assisted leadership. The research projects within the first sub-cluster address the question of which leadership roles and behaviors are appropriate to face the challenges digital transformation brings along. In this context, we conceptualize the Digital Transformation Leadership Framework and examined its nomological network. Specifically, we investigate the impact of (a) each digital transformation leadership role, (b) combining different digital transformation leadership roles, and (c) digital leadership roles in specific circumstances (i.e., crisis-induced digital transformation). Another research project within this sub-cluster uncovers the complexities of remote leadership and the usage of digital tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second sub-cluster concentrates on AI-assisted leadership, aiming to empirically explore how AI can serve as a partner in leadership by assessing the extent to which AI can take over leadership roles.
Approach
This comprehensive research cluster employs diverse qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches, resulting in nearly ten distinct studies. For example, in one research project within the first sub-cluster, we conducted five studies involving leaders and their employees to explore the nomological network of the Digital Transformation Leadership Framework. We also utilized longitudinal data from 155 qualitative diaries to better understand how leaders navigate the complexities of crisis-induced remote leadership. Furthermore, in a third research project, we conducted an experimental study with over 800 participants to analyze the effectiveness of complementary leadership behaviors in the digital age.
Keywords
Digital Transformation Leadership Framework, digital leadership, leadership, digital transformation, AI, organizational change, COVID-19 pandemic, working from home, remote leadership, shared leadership
Involved Persons
Dr. Ellen Weber, Irini Tsaga, Prof. Dr. Marion Büttgen, Dr. Eva-Helen Krehl, Prof. Dr. Silke Bartsch
Publications
- Weber, E., Büttgen, M., & Bartsch, S. (2022). How to take employees on the digital transformation journey: An experimental study on complementary leadership behaviors in managing organizational change. Journal of Business Research, 143, 225–238. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.01.036
- Bartsch, S., Weber, E., Büttgen, M., & Huber, A. (2021). Leadership matters in crisis-induced digital transformation: How to lead service employees effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Service Management, 32(1), 71–85.
- Weber, E., Krehl, E.-H., & Büttgen, M. (2022). The Digital Transformation Leadership Framework: Conceptual and empirical insights into leadership roles in technology‐driven business environments. Journal of Leadership Studies, 16(1), 6–22. doi.org/10.1002/jls.2181
- Krehl, E.-H. & Büttgen, M. (2022). Uncovering the complexities of remote leadership and the usage of digital tools during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative diary study. German Journal of Human Resource Management: Zeitschrift für Personalforschung, 36(3), 325–352. doi.org/10.1177/23970022221083697
- Lettner, N., Weber, E., Lanzl, J., Gilli, K., & Grüttel, W. (2023). The double-edged sword pattern of leadership behaviors in digital transformation: Identifying positive and negative outcomes for leaders and employees using a group Delphi study. Die Unternehmung – Swiss Journal of Business Research and Practice, 77(3), 248–270. doi.org/10.5771/0042-059X-2023-3
- Weber, E., Krehl, E.-H., Büttgen, M., & Schweikert, K. (2019). The Digital Leadership Framework: Insights into new leadership roles facing digital transformation. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2019(1), 13650.
- Büttgen, M., Huber, A., Bartsch, S., & Weber, E. (2021). Die Balance finden. Personalwirtschaft, 2, 48–49.
- Bartsch, S., Weber, E., Büttgen, M., & Huber, A. (2022). Digital Leadership in Zeiten von digitaler Transformation und Krise. In S. Roth, & H. Corsten (Eds.), Handbuch Digitalisierung (pp. 59–72). Vahlen.
