IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jbecon/v91y2021i8d10.1007_s11573-021-01040-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The digital leader: what one needs to master today’s organisational challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Milan Frederik Klus

    (University of Münster)

  • Julia Müller

    (University of Osnabrück)

Abstract

Executives are increasingly facing various challenges associated with digitalisation, especially the simultaneous handling of many topics, loads of information flushing in via digital channels, rapid changes, and finding the right balance between the old and the new. Building on a growing body of research suggesting and systematising leadership skills, we conduct an online-survey with executives to investigate the connection between selected skills and the ability to cope with specific challenges. We find that a strong ability to think and act entrepreneurially, (self-)organisation and IT skills, a profound ability to motivate others, and a high degree of flexibility, commitment, and creativity are positively linked to the ability to cope with several digitalisation-related challenges. Surprisingly, being a strong team player does not seem to be necessarily advantageous. Moreover, many executives desire more calmness, which suggests that being able to decelerate is important in the digital age.

Suggested Citation

  • Milan Frederik Klus & Julia Müller, 2021. "The digital leader: what one needs to master today’s organisational challenges," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 91(8), pages 1189-1223, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jbecon:v:91:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1007_s11573-021-01040-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11573-021-01040-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11573-021-01040-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11573-021-01040-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lixiang Li & Kaoru Ota & Zonghua Zhang & Yuhong Liu, 2018. "Security and Privacy Protection of Social Networks in Big Data Era," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2018, pages 1-2, January.
    2. Schwarzmüller, Tanja & Brosi, Prisca & Duman, Denis & Welpe, Isabell M., 2018. "How Does the Digital Transformation Affect Organizations? Key Themes of Change in Work Design and Leadership," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 29(2), pages 114-138.
    3. Huub Ru‰l & Tanya Bondarouk & Jan Kees Looise, 2004. "E-HRM: Innovation or Irritation. An Explorative Empirical Study in Five Large Companies on Web-based HRM," management revue. Socio-economic Studies, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 15(3), pages 364-380.
    4. Sousa, Maria José & Rocha, Álvaro, 2019. "Skills for disruptive digital business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 257-263.
    5. Stephen R. Barley & Debra E. Meyerson & Stine Grodal, 2011. "E-mail as a Source and Symbol of Stress," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(4), pages 887-906, August.
    6. Hambley, Laura A. & O'Neill, Thomas A. & Kline, Theresa J.B., 2007. "Virtual team leadership: The effects of leadership style and communication medium on team interaction styles and outcomes," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 103(1), pages 1-20, May.
    7. Svetlana Holt & Joan Marques, 2012. "Empathy in Leadership: Appropriate or Misplaced? An Empirical Study on a Topic that is Asking for Attention," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 105(1), pages 95-105, January.
    8. Klus, Milan F. & Müller, Julia, 2018. "Identifying leadership skills required in the digital age," Discussion Papers of the Institute for Organisational Economics 11/2018, University of Münster, Institute for Organisational Economics.
    9. Huub Ru‰l & Tanya Bondarouk & Jan Kees Looise, 2004. "E-HRM: Innovation or Irritation. An Explorative Empirical Study in Five Large Companies on Web-based HRM," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 15(3), pages 364-380.
    10. Seijts, Gerard H. & Gandz, Jeffrey, 2018. "Transformational change and leader character," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 239-249.
    11. Thomas Osburg, 2017. "Sustainability in a Digital World Needs Trust," CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, in: Thomas Osburg & Christiane Lohrmann (ed.), Sustainability in a Digital World, pages 3-19, Springer.
    12. John M. Abowd & Ian M. Schmutte & William N. Sexton & Lars Vilhuber, 2019. "Why the Economics Profession Must Actively Participate in the Privacy Protection Debate," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 109, pages 397-402, May.
    13. David H. Autor, 2015. "Why Are There Still So Many Jobs? The History and Future of Workplace Automation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 29(3), pages 3-30, Summer.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Turgut Karakose & Hakan Polat & Stamatios Papadakis, 2021. "Examining Teachers’ Perspectives on School Principals’ Digital Leadership Roles and Technology Capabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Letmathe, Peter & Noll, Elisabeth, 2024. "Analysis of email management strategies and their effects on email management performance," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    3. Muhd Shafiq Johari & Syamsul Hendra Mahmud & Sarajul Fikri Mohamed & Mohd Saidin Misnan & Tantish Kamarudin & Mohd Azwarie Mat Dzahir, 2024. "A SWOT Analysis of Digitalization in the Construction Firm: Challenges and Barriers to Managers Level in Malaysia," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3), pages 1520-1540, March.
    4. Md Alamgir Mollah & Jae-Hyeok Choi & Su-Jung Hwang & Jin-Kyo Shin, 2023. "Exploring a Pathway to Sustainable Organizational Performance of South Korea in the Digital Age: The Effect of Digital Leadership on IT Capabilities and Organizational Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mónica Santana & Mirta Díaz-Fernández, 2023. "Competencies for the artificial intelligence age: visualisation of the state of the art and future perspectives," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 1971-2004, August.
    2. Yinan Wang & Yingchong Wang, 2022. "Developing Creative Leadership in the Use of Digital Communication Tools: A Psychological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu & Elena Dinu & Mădălina-Elena Stratone & Roxana-Maria Stăneiu & Florina Vintilă, 2022. "Adding Knowledge to Virtual Teams in the New Normal: From Leader-Team Communication towards the Satisfaction with Teamwork," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Aurel TOTOLICI & Sofia TOTOLICI & Constanta POPESCU, 2013. "Successful Models of Implementation of e-HRM Systems in the Private Sector in Romania," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 3, pages 71-78.
    5. Iustin IVLEV & Monica TRICULESCU, 2020. "E-Hrm €“ A Mean To Increase Hrm Role In Organizations €“ A Comprehensive Literature Review," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 14(1), pages 789-799, November.
    6. Maren Gierlich-Joas & Thomas Hess & Rahild Neuburger, 2020. "More self-organization, more control—or even both? Inverse transparency as a digital leadership concept," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 13(3), pages 921-947, November.
    7. Mariah El Saeed & Heba Mohamed Maarouf & Raghda Abulsaoud Ahmed Younis, 2025. "The role of HRM-service quality in the relationship between electronic human resource management and perceived performance," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    8. Yusliza Mohd.Yusoff Author_Email: yusliza@usm.my & T. Ramayah, 2011. "Factors Influencing Attitude Towards Using Electronic Hrm," 2nd International Conference on Business and Economic Research (2nd ICBER 2011) Proceeding 2011-274, Conference Master Resources.
    9. Aurélie Girard & Bernard Fallery & Florence Rodhain, 2013. "Integration of Social Media in Recruitment: A Delphi Study," Post-Print hal-00998494, HAL.
    10. Georgiana-Maria PETRESCU & Anda Larisa ȘTEF & Ioana CÎMPAN & Emil Lucian CRIȘAN & Irina Iulia SALANȚĂ, 2023. "Drivers Of Digital Transformation In Product Development, Business Modeling And Human Resources Management," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 32(1), pages 758-770, July.
    11. Hafiz Mudassir Rehman & Hui Nee Au Yong & Yuen Onn Choong, 2022. "Facilitating the Malaysian Manufacturing Sector in Readiness for Industry 4.0: A Mediating Role of Organization Innovation," International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM), IGI Global, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, January.
    12. Rand H. Al-Dmour & Steve Love, 2015. "Determinants of the implementation of HRIS applications in business organisations in Jordan," International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(1), pages 69-96.
    13. Christian Theres & Stefan Strohmeier, 2024. "Consolidating the theoretical foundations of digital human resource management acceptance and use research: a meta-analytic validation of UTAUT," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 74(4), pages 2683-2715, December.
    14. Johannes Lehmann & Michael Beckmann, 2024. "Digital Transformation in Switzerland: The Current State and Expectations," Papers 2412.12784, arXiv.org.
    15. Hadziroh Ibrahim* & Faridahwati Mohd Shamsuddin & Yusliza Mohd Yusoff & Md. Lazim Mohd Zin, 2018. "The Structural Relationship Between Organisational-Information System Related Support, Technology Self-Efficacy, And End-User Satisfaction With E-HRM," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 1111-1119:6.
    16. Hadziroh Ibrahim & Nur Zahiyah Othman, 2014. "The Influence of Techno stress and Organizational-Is Related Support on User Satisfaction in Government Organizations: A Proposed Model and Literature Review," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 6(2), pages 63-71.
    17. Klus, Milan F. & Müller, Julia, 2018. "Identifying leadership skills required in the digital age," Discussion Papers of the Institute for Organisational Economics 11/2018, University of Münster, Institute for Organisational Economics.
    18. Audrin, Bertrand & Audrin, Catherine & Salamin, Xavier, 2024. "Digital skills at work – Conceptual development and empirical validation of a measurement scale," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    19. Mansour Naser Alraja & Rabia Imran & Basel M. Khashab & Mahmood Shah, 2022. "Technological Innovation, Sustainable Green Practices and SMEs Sustainable Performance in Times of Crisis (COVID-19 pandemic)," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1081-1105, August.
    20. Aurélie Girard & Bernard Fallery, 2009. "E-recruitment: new practices, new issues. An exploratory study," Post-Print hal-00777802, HAL.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital leader; Digitalisation; Leadership skills; Survey; Traits;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jbecon:v:91:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1007_s11573-021-01040-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.