Digital Leadership Towards Effective School Management: A Systematic Review
Alexandra Acebuche
Discipline: Psychology
Abstract:
The 21st century school leaders are marked by the pervasive influence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,
where technological advancements are integral to their roles in managing school. This systematic review
explores the role of digital leadership for effective school management, addressing fundamental questions
about its definition, the characteristics of a digital leader, and its practical application in education. Using the
Rayyan web-based systematic review tool and PRISMA, the literature search yielded 138 studies, with 75
included after meticulous screening. Findings revealed that the absence of a universally agreed- upon
definition of digital leadership means that it is evolving and debatable, supported by distinct models and
components. Digital leaders exhibit characteristics spanning from roles, attitudes, knowledge, and skills for
effective school management. The review emphasizes diverse applications in school management, covering
innovation, professional development, technology integration, communication, community engagement, and
ensuring accessibility. In conclusion, there is no universally accepted definition of digital leadership in
education, and different perspectives exist due to diverse experiences and contexts. Digital leaders should
possess the right attitude, knowledge, and skills to manage the school system using technology as a tool, and
as technology evolves, the application of digital leadership will likely expand to address emerging needs. The
dynamic nature of technology requires continuous studies to optimize strategies and align with the evolving
educational landscape.
References:
- Abbu, H., Mugge, P., Gudergan, G., Hoeborn, G., Kwiatkowski, A. (2022). Measuring the human dimensions of digital leadership for successful digital transformation. Research-Technology Management, 65(3), 39–49.
- Ahlquist, J. (2017). Digital student leadership development. New Directions for Student Leadership, 2017(153), 47–62.
- Alexander, S.M., Barnett, D., Mann, S.K., Mackay, A., Selinger, M., & Whitby, G.S. (2013). Beyond the classroom: a new digital education for young Australians in the 21st century. Semantic Scholar.
- Antonopoulou, H., Halkiopoulos, C., Barlou, O., & Beligiannis, G. N. (2020). Leadership types and digital leadership in higher education: Behavioural data analysis from University of Patras in Greece. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(4), 110–129.
- Ardiansyah (2020) Principal's leadership in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 Era at As-Sulthon junior high school, Mersam Batanghari District, in Proceedings of the International Seminar: Management Challenges of Islamic Education, Islamic Law and Malay Language in the Era of Revolution 4.0, 2020, 167–176.
- Anshori, A. H. (2016) The importance of school/Madrasah based management in effective school/Madrasah leadership, Pendidikan, Tarbawi J. Keilmuan Manaj., vol. 2, no. 01, pp. 23– 37.
- Avidov-Ungar, O., Shamir-Inbal, T., & Blau, I. (2022). Typology of digital leadership roles tasked with integrating new technologies into teaching: Insights from metaphor analysis. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 54(1), 92-107. 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2020.1809035
- Azrai, E. P., Rini, D. S., & Suryanda, A. (2020). Micro-teaching in the digital Industrial Era 4.0: Necessary or not. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4A), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.081804
- Baglama, B., Evcimen, E., Altinay, F., Sharma, R. C., Tlili, A., Altinay, Z., Dagli, G., Jemni, M., Shadiev, R., Yucesoy, Y., & et al. (2022). Analysis of digital leadership in school management and accessibility of animation-designed game-based learning for sustainability of education for children with special needs. Sustainability, 14 (13), 7730. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137730
- Cortellazzo, L., Bruni, E., & Zampieri, R. (2019). The role of leadership in a digitalized world: A review. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1938.
- Couros, G. (2013). Digital Leadership Defined. Corwin Press.
- Damayanti, F. P., & Mirfani, A. M. (2021). An analysis of digital leadership in the pandemic covid-19 ERA. 4th International Conference on Research of Educational Administration and Management (ICREAM 2020), 156–159.
- Damainik, A., & Muntazah, I. (2021). School leadership in improving the quality of education at Integrated Islamic SMP Nurul Fadillah Deli Serdang. Budapest Int. Res. Critics Linguist. Educ. J., 4(1), 431–437. https://doi.org/10.33258/birle.v4i1.1656
- Eberl, J. K., & Drews, P. (2021). Digital leadership ‒ mountain or molehill? A literature review. Wirtschaftsinformatik 2021 Proceedings. https://aisel.aisnet.org/wi2021/HDigitaltransformation17/Track17/5
- Ehlers, U. D. (2020). Digital leadership in higher education. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies, 1(3), 6–14.
- El Sawy, O. A., Kræmmergaard, P., Amsinck, H., & Vinther, A. L. (2016). How LEGO built the foundations and enterprise capabilities for digital leadership. MIS Quarterly Executive, 15(2), 141- 166.
- Erhan, T., Uzunbacak, H. H., & Aydin, E. (2022). From conventional to digital leadership: Exploring digitalization of leadership and innovative work behavior. Management Research Review, 45(11), 1524–1543. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-05-2021-0338
- Evers, A. T., Van der Heijden, B. I., & Kreijns, K. (n.d.). Full title: Organizational and Task Factors Influencing Teachers’ Professional Development at Work (rayyan-622621983).
- Fareen, J. A. M. (2022). Digital learning in higher education: A road to transformation and reform. European Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Education, 3(1), e02206.
- Gfrerer, A. E., Rademacher, L., & Dobler, S. (2021). Digital needs diversity: Innovation and digital leadership from a female managers’ perspective. Digitalization: Approaches, Case Studies, and Tools for Strategy, Transformation and Implementation, 335–349.
- Ghamrawi, N., & M. Tamim, R. (2023). A typology for digital leadership in higher education: The case of a large-scale mobile technology initiative (using tablets). Education and Information Technologies, 28(6), 7089–7110.
- Guthrie, K. L., & Meriwether, J. L. (2018). Leadership development in digital spaces through mentoring, coaching, and advising. New Directions for Student Leadership, 2018(158), 99–110.
- Hamid, H. A. (2023). Leading Digital Leadership in Schools: Future Implications towards Nation Based on The Quadruple Helix Model (rayyan-622621969).
- Hamzah, N. H., Nasir, M. K. M., & Wahab, J. A. (2021). The effects of principals’ digital leadership on teachers’ digital teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malaysia. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 8(2), 216–221.
- Ilomäki, L., & Lakkala, M. (2018). Digital technology and practices for school improvement: Innovative digital school model. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 13, 1–32.
- International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2021). International technology standards for administrators. Retrieved from: https://my.iste.org/s/login/?ec=302&inst=1U&startURL=%2Fidp%2Flogin%3Fapp%3D0sp1U000000KzRe%26RelayState%3Dhttps//%253A%252F%252Fwww.iste.org%252Fsaml_login%26binding%3DHttpPost%26inresponseto%3D_b2343d5d57e597ada89438745fc7de1a95a694c11f.
- Jamtsho, S. (2015) Implementing a whole-school approach to student wellbeing: a study examining the implementation experiences of Bhutanese and Australian teachers in wellbeing leadership roles [A Dissertation]. The University of Melbourne, Australia. Skodel.com
- Kalita, S. (2017). Theoretical perspectives of educational supervision. International Journal of Advanced Educational Research, 2(5).
- Karakose, T., Polat, H., & Papadakis, S. (2021). Examining teachers’ perspectives on school principals’ digital leadership toles and technology capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 13(23), 13448. Google Scholar
- Karakose, T., Kocabas, I., Yirci, R., Papadakis, S., Ozdemir, T. Y., & Demirkol, M. (2022). The development and evolution of digital leadership: a bibliometric mapping approach-based study. Sustainability, 14(23), 16171. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142316171
- Karakose, T., & Tülübaş, T. (2023). Digital leadership and sustainable school improvement—A conceptual analysis and implications for future Research. Educational Process: International Journal, 12, 7–18.
- Karatepe, S. G., & Arman, S. M. (2019). The main determinants of educated women's unemployment in Turkey and the current statistical outlook. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 11(2), 32–47.
- Keesukphan, E. (2016). Educational administration in the digital era. http://www.trueplookpanya.com/knowledge/content/52232/-edu-t2s1-t2-t2s3-
- Lander, J. (2020) The relationship between principals’ pillars of digital leadership aligned values and actions and teacher technology use. [Theses and Dissertations. 90]. https://scholar.stjohns.edu/theses_dissertations/90
- Levin, B. B., & Schrum, L. (2014). Lessons learned from secondary schools using technology for school improvement: It's just not that simple! Journal of School Leadership, 24(4), 640- 665. https://doi.org/10.1177/105268461402400403
- Limna, P., Jakwatanatham, S., Siripipattanakul, S., Kaewpuang, P., & Sriboonruang, P. (2022). A review of artificial intelligence (AI) in education during the digital era. Advance Knowledge for Executives, 1(1), 1-9. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://ssrn.com/abstract=4160798
- Luecha, C., Chantarasombat, C., & Sirisuthi, C. (2022). Program development of digital leadership for school administrators under the office of primary educational service area. World Journal of Education, 12(2), 15–27.
- Luo, W., He, H., & Li, H. (2023). Chinese model of digital leadership in early childhood settings: A grounded theory study. Early Education and Development, 1–15.
- Maala, E. B., & Lagos, F. D. (2022). Technological leadership of school heads and teachers’ technology integration: Basis for the development of a training program. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 3(10), 2074–2089.
- Malakyan, P. G. (2019). Digital leader-followership for the digital age: A North American perspective. In M. Franco (Ed.), Digital leadership -A new leadership style for the 21st century. IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/books/digital-leadership-a-new-leadership-style-for-the-21st_century/digital-leader-followership-for-the-digital-age-a-north-american-perspective
- McCarthy, P., Sammon, D., & Alhassan, I. (2022). Digital transformation leadership characteristics: A literature analysis. Journal of Decision Systems, 32(1), 79–109.
- Mihardjo, L., Sasmoko, S., Alamsjah, F., & Elidjen, E. (2019b). Digital leadership impacts on developing dynamic capability and strategic alliance based on market orientation. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 19(2), 285–297. https://doi.org/10.17512/pjms.2019.19.2.24
- Miller, C. L. (2018). Digital leadership: Using the internet and social media to improve the lives, well-being and circumstances of others. Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 110(1), 45–48.
- Musid, N. A., Matore, M. E. E. M., & Hamid, A. H. A. (2022). What are the notable concepts in measuring digital leadership among teachers? Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(10), 2868–2879.
- Narbona, J. (2016). Digital leadership, twitter, and Pope Francis. Church, Communication and Culture, 1(1), 90–109.
- Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (rayyan-622621959). Sage publications.
- Oberer, B., & Erkollar, A. (2018). Leadership 4.0: Digital leaders in the age of industry 4.0. International Journal of Organizational Leadership.
- Ordu, A., & Nayır, F. (2021). What is digital leadership? A suggestion of the definition. E-International Journal of Educational Research, 12(3), 68–81.
- Özmen, Ö. N., Erı̇ş, E., & Özer, P. (2020). Dijital liderlik çalışmalarına bir bakış [A review on digital leadership studies]. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 25(1), 57–69.
- Pagatpatan, A. (2019). Digital leadership of school administrators in relation to teachers and principal’s performance: inputs for techno-learning development model. ResearchGate. 10.13140/RG.2.2.10222.84809.
- Page M.J., McKenzie J. E., Bossuyt P.M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T.C., Mulrow, C.D., et al. (2021) The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021; 372: n71. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n71.
- Pata, K., Tammets, K., Väljataga, T., Kori, K., Laanpere, M., & Rõbtsenkov, R. (2022). The patterns of school improvement in digitally innovative schools. Technology, Knowledge, and Learning, 27(3), 823–841.
- Peng, B. (2022). Digital leadership: State governance in the era of digital technology. Cultures of Science, 5(4), 210–225.
- Petry, T. (2018). Digital leadership. Knowledge Management in Digital Change: New Findings and Practical Cases, 209–218.
- Phillip, J., Aguilar, M. G. (2021). Student perceptions of leadership skills necessary for digital transformation, Journal of Education for Business, 1-13.
- Rawung, R. K. S., Lumapow, H. R., Palilingan, V. R., & Lengkong, J. S. J. (2023). Interactional model of digital managerial competence of kindergarten teachers in North Sulawesi. International Journal of Information Technology and Education, 2(2), 1–18.
- Ridho, M. R., Lesmana, I., Safitri, H. D. A., Meirani, R. K., & Prestiadi, D. (2023). Digital Leadership in the Scope of Education. International Conference on Educational Management and Technology (ICEMT 2022), 52–61.
- Sadı̇, B., & Karatepe, S. G. (2021). Eğitimli kadın istihdamının sorunlarına yönelik bir araştırma [A study on the problems of educated women’s employment]. İstanbul Kent Üniversitesi İnsan ve Toplum Bilimleri Dergisi, 2(2), 21–50.
- Sağbaş, Murat & Erdoğan, Fahri. (2022). Digital leadership: A systematic conceptual literature review. ResearchGate. 3. 17-35.
- Sandi, Q. (2022). Digital leadership in the scope of education internasional, 2019, in B. B. Wiyono et al. (Eds.): ICEMT 2022, ASSEHR 727, pp. 52–61, 2023. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-95-4_7.
- Şahı̇n, Ç. Ç., Avci, Y. E., & Anik, S. (2020). Dijital liderlik algisinin metaforlar yoluyla incelenmesi. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 19(73), Article 73. https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.535159
- Shah, S. S., & Patki, S. M. (2020). Getting traditionally rooted Indian leadership to embrace digital leadership: Challenges and way forward with reference to LMX. Leadership, Education, Personality: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 2(1), 29–40.
- Shin, J., Mollah, M. A., & Choi, J. (2023). Sustainability and organizational performance in South Korea: The effect of digital leadership on digital culture and employees’ digital capabilities. Sustainability, 15(3), 2027. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032027
- Sheninger, E. (2014). Pillars of digital leadership, International Center for Leadership in Education.
- Sheninger, E. (2019). Digital Leadership: Changing paradigms for changing times (Edisi ke-2). SAGE Publications Inc.
- Sterrett, W. L., & Richardson, J. W. (2017). Cultivating innovation in an age of accountability: Tech-savvy leadership. Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, 20(4), 27–41.
- Suksai, T., Suanpang, P., & Thangchitcharoenkhul, R. (2021). A digital leadership development model for school administrators in basic education to fulfill the Thailand 4.0 policy. PSAKU International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 10(2), 11–20.
- Tanucan, J.C.M.; Negrido, C.V.; & Malaga, G.N. (2022) digital leadership of school heads and job satisfaction of teachers in the Philippines during the pandemic, International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(10). https://www.ijlter.org/index.php/ijlter/article/view/6061
- Thannimalai, R., & Raman, A. (2018). The Influence of principals’ technology leadership and professional development on teachers’ technology integration in secondary schools. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 15(1), 201–226.
- Tucker, C. (2018). To stem teacher burnout, go digital. Educ. Leadersh, 75, 58–62.
- Vermeulen, M., Van Acker, F., Kreijns, K., & Van Buuren, H. (2015). Does transformational leadership encourage teachers’ use of digital learning materials. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 43(6), 1006–1025.
- Westerman, G., Bonnet, D., & McAfee, A. (2014). Leading digital: Turning technology into business transformation (rayyan-622621970). Harvard Business Press.
- Widodo, Y. Arafat, & Wardiah, D. (2021). The role of principal leadership in improving the quality of education. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Education Universitas PGRI Palembang (INCoEPP 2021), 565, 193–197. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210716.081
- Yuting, Z., Adams, D., & Lee, K. C. S. (2022). The relationship between technology leadership and teacher ICT Competency in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 27(7), 10285–10307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11037-0
- Yusof, M., & Yaakob, M., Faiz, M. & Ibrahim, M. (2019). Digital leadership among school leaders in Malaysia. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE), 8 (9), 1481-1485. DOI: 10.35940/ijitee. I8221.078919.
- Zeike, S., Bradbury, K., Lindert, L., & Pfaff, H. (2019). Digital leadership skills and associations with psychological well-being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14), 2628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142628.
- Zhong, L. (2017). Indicators of digital leadership in the context of K-12 education. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE), 10(1), 3.