Unpacking Micro-Level Leadership Behaviours in Digital Transformation: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Behavioural Antecedents to Organisational Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70142/ijbmel.v3i2.460Keywords:
Micro-level leadership behaviours, Digital transformation, Organisational performance, Behavioural antecedents, Qualitative systematic literature reviewAbstract
Digital transformation has intensified scholarly interest in leadership; however, existing research predominantly emphasises leadership styles and strategic orientations, leaving the role of micro-level leadership behaviours underexplored. This qualitative systematic literature review synthesises prior studies to examine how everyday leadership behaviours function as behavioural antecedents of organisational performance in digital transformation contexts. Drawing on a structured review of interdisciplinary literature, the study identifies cognitive, relational, and adaptive leadership behaviours as central mechanisms through which digital initiatives are translated into performance outcomes. The findings reveal that micro-level behaviours—such as sensemaking, empowering communication, psychological safety cultivation, and behavioural flexibility—indirectly shape organisational performance by fostering digital capabilities, innovative work behaviour, and employee resilience. By shifting the analytical focus from abstract leadership constructs to observable behavioural micro-foundations, this review contributes to digital leadership and organisational performance literature and offers integrative insights for future empirical research and managerial practice
References
Abbas, S. M., Latif, M., & Sarwar, F. (2024). Digital leadership and innovative work behavior in IT sector: The mediating role of digital entrepreneurial orientation and digital organizational culture. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-024-09503-7
Ahmed, F., Naqshbandi, M. M., Waheed, M., & Ain, N. (2024). Digital leadership and innovative work behavior: Impact of LMX, learning orientation and innovation capabilities. Management Decision, 62(11), 3607–3632. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-04-2023-0654
AlNuami, B. K., Singh, S. K., Ren, S., Budhwar, P., & Vorobyev, D. (2022). Mastering digital transformation: The nexus between leadership, agility, and digital strategy. Journal of Business Research, 145, 636–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.03.038
Ashraf, M. H., Triki, A., & Yalcin, M. G. (2024). Logistics digitalization and the third-party logistics blue-collar employees performance: The role of paradoxical leader behavior. International Journal of Logistics Management, 36(3), 987–1013. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-03-2024-0194
Aubouin-Bonnaventure, J., Chevalier, S., Lahiani, F.-J., & Fouquereau, E. (2024). Well-being and performance at work: A new approach favourable to the optimal functioning of workers through virtuous organisational practices. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 32(4), 608–623. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-01-2023-3584
Banks, G. C., McCauley, K. D., Gardner, W. L., & Guler, C. E. (2016). A meta-analytic review of authentic and transformational leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 27(4), 634–652. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2016.02.006
Bausch, D., Kraemer, T., & Mauroner, O. (2024). Technology-induced stress and employee resistance in the context of digital transformation. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 21(4), 2450029.https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219877024500299
Bendig, D., Wagner, R., Piening, E. P., & Foege, J. N. (2023). Attention to digital innovation: Exploring the impact of a chief information officer in the top management team. MIS Quarterly, 47(4), 1487–1516. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2023/17152
Block, J., Brändle, L., Limbach, P., Röth, T., & Sabel, C. A. (2025). Half dead or more alive than ever? New, old, and (increasingly) redundant literature review formats. Management Review Quarterly, 75(3), 993–1008. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-025-00513-9
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Cheng, C., Wang, L., Xie, H., & Yan, L. (2023). Mapping digital innovation: A bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 194, Article 122706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122706
Derue, D. S., Nahrgang, J. D., Wellman, N., & Humphrey, S. E. (2011). Trait and behavioral theories of leadership: An integration and meta-analytic test. Personnel Psychology, 64(1), 7–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2010.01201.x
Djap, W., Hermawati, O., Irawan, D., Mustikasiwi, A., 2022. The Role of Transformastional Leadership, Human Capital, and Job Satisfaction in Influencing Organizaional Citizenship Behavior of Volunteers at The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Religi: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama Vol. 18 No. 2 (2022).
Ertiö, T., Eriksson, T., Rowan, W., & McCarthy, S. (2024). The role of digital leaders’ emotional intelligence in mitigating employee technostress. Business Horizons, 67(4), 399–409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.03.004
Gao, P., & Gao, Y. (2024). How does digital leadership foster employee innovative behavior? Behavioral Sciences, 14(5), 362. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050362
Gough, D., Oliver, S., & Thomas, J. (2017). An introduction to systematic reviews. Sage.
Guinan, P. J., Parise, S., & Langowitz, N. (2019). Creating an innovative digital project team: Levers to enable digital transformation. Business Horizons, 62(6), 717–727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2019.07.005
Hinings, B., Gegenhuber, T., & Greenwood, R. (2018). Digital innovation and transformation: An institutional perspective. Information and Organization, 28(1), 52–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoandorg.2018.02.004
Hong, Q. N., Fàbregues, S., Bartlett, G., Boardman, F., Cargo, M., Dagenais, P., … & Pluye, P. (2018). The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. McGill University.
Höyng, M., & Lau, A. (2023). Being ready for digital transformation: How to enhance employees’ intentional digital readiness. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 11, Article 100314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2023.100314
Klein, S. P., Spieth, P., & Söllner, M. (2024). Employee acceptance of digital transformation strategies: A paradox perspective. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 41(5), 999–10221. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12722
Kusnanto, E. (2022). Performance Measurement Based on Balance Scorecard Perspective of Sustainable Leadership, Corporate Governance and Human Capital in Banking Industry. International Journal of Contemporary Accounting, 4(1), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.25105/ijca.v4i1.13916
Lin, Q. (2024). Digital leadership: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. European Journal of Innovation Management, 28(6), 2469–2488. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-07-2023-0522
McCarthy, P., Sammon, D., & Alhasson, I. (2024). The characteristics of digital transformation leadership: Theorizing the practitioner voice. Business Horizons, 67(4), 411–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.03.005
Orkamo, M., Ukko, J., Rantala, T., & Saunila, M. (2025). Leadership behaviours to promote organisational performance in private sector digital transformation: A systematic literature review. Digital Business, 5(2), 100155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.digbus.2025.100155
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., … & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 134, 178–189. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Rademaker, T., Klingenberg, T., & Süß, S. (2023). Leadership and technostress: A systematic literature review. Management Review Quarterly, 75(3), 429–494. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-023-00385-x
Rakovic, L., Marić, S., Milutinovic, L. D., Vukovic, V., & Bjekic, R. (2024). The role of leadership in managing digital transformation. E a M: Ekonomie a Management, 27(2), 87–107. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2024-2-006
Rosenhead, J., Franco, L. A., Grint, K., & Friedland, B. (2019). Complexity theory and leadership practice: A review, a critique, and some recommendations. The Leadership Quarterly, 30(5), Article 101304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2019.07.002
Ruslaini, E. K., Santoso, S., & Marhandrie, D. (2024). Diversity Management Strategies: Perspectives from Multinational Corporation. Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Studies. ISSN (print): 2644-0490, ISSN (online): 2644-0504. JEFMS Volume 07 Issue 03 March 2024. Page No: 1551-1555. https://doi.org/10.47191/jefms/v7-i3-18
Schiuma, G., Santarsiero, F., Carlucci, D., & Jarrar, Y. (2024). Transformative leadership competencies for organisational digital transformation. Business Horizons, 67(4), 425–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.04.004
Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28(2), 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003
Yukl, G. (2012). Effective leadership behavior: What we know and what questions need more attention. Academy of Management Perspectives, 26(4), 66–85. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2012.0088
Zhu, J., & Liu, W. (2020). A tale of two databases: The use of Web of Science and Scopus in academic papers. Scientometrics, 123(1), 321–335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-020-03387-8












