Leadership, Communication, and Employee Commitment in Digital Transformation: An Integrated Review

Authors

  • Misheck Musaigwa University of Johannesburg image/svg+xml Author
  • Vivence Kalitanyi Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.488

Keywords:

Digital Transformation, Organisational Leadership, Communication, Employee Commitment, Organisational Culture

Abstract

Digital transformation has become a defining organisational imperative, reshaping leadership practices, communication processes, and employee commitment across sectors. This study presents a systematic literature review examining how leadership, communication, organisational culture, and human factors collectively influence digital transformation outcomes.  The study is based on 83 peer-reviewed articles. The findings reveal that digital transformation is a socio-technical, capability-building process rather than a purely technological shift. Transformational and participatory leadership styles, clear and transparent communication, and cultures characterised by trust and learning emerged as critical enablers of employee engagement and commitment. Human resource management plays a strategic role in developing digital readiness, addressing skills gaps, and supporting wellbeing. The review also highlights the importance of organisational trust, knowledge management, and adaptive work models in sustaining performance during digital change. Based on these insights, the study recommends strengthening leadership capability, enhancing strategic communication, integrating HRM into transformation governance, cultivating supportive cultures, prioritising commitment-building practices, formalising knowledge management systems, and adopting human-centric principles that align with emerging Industry 5.0 paradigms. These recommendations offer a holistic and practical roadmap for organisations seeking to navigate the complexities of digital transformation effectively.

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2026-01-21

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Musaigwa, M., & Kalitanyi, V. (2026). Leadership, Communication, and Employee Commitment in Digital Transformation: An Integrated Review. International Journal of Applied Research in Business and Management, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.488