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Digital Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • José Carlos López-Figueroa

    (Department of Administrative Sciences, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Guaymas 85500, Mexico)

  • Sergio Ochoa-Jiménez

    (Department of Administrative Sciences, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora, Guaymas 85500, Mexico)

  • María Olivia Palafox-Soto

    (Deparment of Economic, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, unidad Xochimilco, Coapa, Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico)

  • Dalia Sujey Hernandez Munoz

    (Technical Secretariat, Colegio de Bachilleres of the State of Sonora, Hermosillo 83280, Mexico)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and digital disruption have transformed the world and organizations on an unprecedented scale, presenting leaders with unique challenges and creating an opportunity to study digital leadership. This area of research is expanding significantly, though it remains in a developmental and maturing phase. To date, theoretical studies are predominant, including systematic reviews, literature reviews, and bibliometric studies. This study conducts a systematic literature review and science mapping of 74 documents published between 2000 and 2022 in the Web of Science database, using VOSviewer software to analyze the field’s evolution. Findings reveal that research on digital leadership has grown, with digital transformation, digitalization, COVID-19, information and communication technologies, virtual teams, and creativity emerging as core themes in this domain. This study concludes that the effective implementation of digital leadership requires not only technological skills but also human-centered competencies; its application has predominantly expanded in the education sector, with limited use in construction.

Suggested Citation

  • José Carlos López-Figueroa & Sergio Ochoa-Jiménez & María Olivia Palafox-Soto & Dalia Sujey Hernandez Munoz, 2025. "Digital Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:129-:d:1625397
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tuğba Erhan & Hasan Huseyin Uzunbacak & Erhan Aydin, 2022. "From conventional to digital leadership: exploring digitalization of leadership and innovative work behavior," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 45(11), pages 1524-1543, January.
    2. Tuğba Erhan & Hasan Huseyin Uzunbacak & Erhan Aydin, 2022. "From conventional to digital leadership: exploring digitalization of leadership and innovative work behavior," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 45(11), pages 1524-1543, January.
    3. Jaya Ahuja & Harish Puppala & Rommel P. Sergio & Ettiene Paul Hoffman, 2023. "E-Leadership Is Un(usual): Multi-Criteria Analysis of Critical Success Factors for the Transition from Leadership to E-Leadership," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, April.
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