Digital Leadership in Underprivileged Schools: Exploring the Role of Digital Communication and Digital Innovation with Technology Adaptation as a Mediator

This study aims to understand the relationship between digital leadership elements among headmasters of Underprivileged schools in Sabah. A total of 203 headmasters were selected as respondents through random sampling. The data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS, covering three main stages: Reliability and Validity Test, Measurement Model Analysis, and Relationship Validity Test. Reliability and validity tests ensure that the constructed used has high internal validity through Cronbach’s Alpha (CA), Composite Reliability (CR), and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values. All constructs show values that pass the standard, confirming the suitability of the study instrument. Measurement model analysis, on the other hand, examines the relationship between leadership strategy, emotional intelligence, and digital leadership. The findings show that emotional intelligence and digital communication directly have a significant impact on digital leadership, while digital innovation plays an important role in supporting technology adoption. However, Technology Adaptation did not show a significant mediating effect in this model, suggesting the need to explore other variables such as organizational support or the leader’s strategic competencies. Finally, relationship validity tests using path coefficients and p-values found some significant associations, while others did not. The study concludes that Digital Leadership is the result of the integration of various strategic and holistic elements, rather than solely relying on individual elements such as innovation or technology adoption. The implications of this study suggest the need for more holistic and relevant digital leadership strategies in the context of marginalized schools.