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.

摘要

建筑行业的企业正面临着通过采用数字技术实现现代化的压力。与任何其他变革举措一样，数字化转型要求领导者站在其组织追求数字创新的最前沿。因此，本研究的目的是探索建筑行业领导者在影响其组织的数字化路径方面所展示的不同领导方法。使用归纳主题分析方法分析了从 41 位建筑行业专业人士收集的定性数据。主要发现是基于六个主题的数字领导类型分类法：积极主动和前瞻性思维；支持；不协调；谨慎; 抗拒、无远见和无动力的领导者。这些主题深入了解领导者如何影响组织中的数字化转型路径。据作者所知，这项研究是第一个对建筑行业的数字领导方法进行分类的研究。这是了解领导者在推动建筑行业数字化转型方面的影响力的重要一步。因此，数字领导的分类可用于评估领导风格和对数字化的态度。研究结果也是进一步研究建筑数字化领导力的平台。这是了解领导者在推动建筑行业数字化转型方面的影响力的重要一步。因此，数字领导的分类可用于评估领导风格和对数字化的态度。研究结果也是进一步研究建筑数字化领导力的平台。这是了解领导者在推动建筑行业数字化转型方面的影响力的重要一步。因此，数字领导的分类可用于评估领导风格和对数字化的态度。研究结果也是进一步研究建筑数字化领导力的平台。