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A taxonomy of digital leadership in the construction industry

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  • Sambo Lyson Zulu
  • Farzad Khosrowshahi

Abstract

Businesses in the construction industry are experiencing pressure to modernize by embracing digital technologies. Like any other change initiative, digital transformation requires that leaders are at the forefront of their organizations’ pursuit for digital innovation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the different leadership approaches exhibited by construction industry leaders in influencing their organizations’ digital paths. Qualitative data collected from 41 construction industry professionals were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. The main finding was a taxonomy of digital leadership types characterized under six themes: proactive and forward-thinking; supportive; uncoordinated; cautious; resistant and visionless and undriven leaders. These themes provide an insight into how leaders influence the digital transformation paths in organizations. As far as the authors are aware, this study is the first that developed a taxonomy of digital leadership approaches in the construction industry. This is a valuable step in understanding leaders’ influence in driving digital transformation in the construction industry. Thus, the taxonomy of digital leadership can be used to evaluate leadership styles and attitude towards digitalization. The findings are also a platform for further studies on digital leadership in construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Sambo Lyson Zulu & Farzad Khosrowshahi, 2021. "A taxonomy of digital leadership in the construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(7), pages 565-578, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:39:y:2021:i:7:p:565-578
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2021.1930080
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    Cited by:

    1. Sambo Lyson Zulu & Ali M. Saad & Barry Gledson, 2023. "Individual Characteristics as Enablers of Construction Employees’ Digital Literacy: An Exploration of Leaders’ Opinions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Turgut Karakose & Ibrahim Kocabas & Ramazan Yirci & Stamatios Papadakis & Tuncay Yavuz Ozdemir & Murat Demirkol, 2022. "The Development and Evolution of Digital Leadership: A Bibliometric Mapping Approach-Based Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Sambo Lyson Zulu & Ali M. Saad, 2023. "A Sensemaking Perspective of Digitalisation in Construction Organisations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, January.

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