DIGITAL LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE TRANSFORMATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

This academic article aims to 1. Examine and analyze the concept of digital leadership and 2. The role of leaders in driving organizational culture toward transformation in the 21st century, a period in which digital technologies have become an unavoidable influence on work practices and organizational management. The study is based on a review of relevant academic articles, documents, concepts, and research studies in order to analyze the relationship between digital leadership and changes in organizational culture, particularly in the form of systemic organizational transformation. The findings indicate that digital leadership encompasses more than technical competence; it is a strategic process requiring the cultivation of a “Digital Vision” and a “Digital Mindset” to enhance organizational effectiveness . Leaders must act as "Change Agents" who understand both technological systems and organizational psychology, focusing on building a “Digital Learning Ecosystem” to foster agility and innovation . Furthermore, the role of leaders in the Thai context varies by organizational size: leaders of large enterprises function as “Orchestrators” of systemic and cultural transformation, whereas SMEs leaders must prioritize rapid strategic decision-making and practical execution as “Agile Practitioners”. This article proposes a conceptual framework that can be applied to the development of digital leadership aligned with sustainable organizational transformation in the Thai context.