Presenting a Framework for Explaining the Competencies of Digital Leaders through Meta-Synthesis Method

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD candidate in educational management, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran Iran

2 Corresponding Author: PhD in educational Management, associate professor at the Department of Education Leadership and Development, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

3 PhD in systems management, associate professor at the Department of Information Technology Management, Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Iran.

4 PhD in educational management, associate professor at the Department of Education Leadership and Development, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Digital revolution has fundamentally changed the nature of work, organizational boundaries, and the responsibilities of business leaders. In this regard, having leaders who are able to explain the need for digital change, define its scope and direction for employees, and provide a clear vision and roadmap for their employees, seems an undisputable necessity. However, one of the fundamental requirements for giving an effective role to digital leaders is to identify and define a set of competencies for this role on which they may design and develop their competency profiles. Hence, this study intends to identify the competencies of digital leaders using the meta-synthesis method, and provide a conceptual framework for explaining them. Accordingly, the research population consists of databases and sound international journals in this field. 40 subjects were selected based on pre-determined criteria related to the research question through criterion-oriented purposive sampling method. In the next steps, while analyzing, interpreting and combining the findings, the competency framework of digital leaders was formed by identifying 8 dimensions, 21 categories, 86 concepts (open codes) and 259 references. The related identified dimensions included emotional intelligence, social intelligence, coordination of socio-technical resources, competitive insight, organizational learning leadership and innovation, technological intelligence, user-orientation and cultural insight. The findings of this study can help organizational managers and researchers in this field understand the different aspects of the competencies of digital leaders, and provide a situation for cultivating and improving and equipping them with new competencies.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Research in Human Resources Management
Volume 13, Issue 1 - Serial Number 43
NO 43, Spring Quarterly
May 2021
Pages 9-42

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 April 2020
  • Revise Date: 05 August 2020
  • Accept Date: 02 September 2020

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