Antecedents and Outcomes of Digital Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose

This research qualitatively synthesizes the literature and examines the antecedents and consequences of digital leadership. It provides a conceptual map of digital leadership that links research-based theoretical development to pragmatic application in digital transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

This review integrates findings from 26 peer-reviewed articles to examine digital leadership. It focuses on qualitative synthesis to examine the antecedents, mediators, moderators, and consequences of digital leadership.

Findings

Digital leadership extends e-leadership by strategically using technology to drive organizational change and system redesign. It is shaped by factors such as market orientation, digital culture, organizational learning, and network capability, which enhance innovation and transformation readiness. It improves employee performance, innovation capacity, and financial outcomes. Moderators like IT integration, big data analytics capability, and psychological capital influence its effectiveness. Unlike traditional leadership, it embeds technology into strategies to sustain dynamic capabilities in complex environments.

Conclusion

However, some scholars identify certain levels of confusion about the concepts of digital leadership and e-leadership. The authors are supposed to analyze external and psychological factors, as well as qualitative approaches, to enhance understanding and improve practice. Moreover, this paper presents future research directions and extends the existing knowledge base by identifying the potential antecedents and consequences of digital leadership.