Open research questions in Educational Leadership and Innovation

What the literature leaves open

• Articles were selected based on the Scopus database with the keyword “Teachers' Organizational Citizenship Behavior" and were limited to articles ranked Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, published from 2020 to 2024.

  Teachers’ Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the Digital and Post-Crisis Era: A Systematic Literature Review and Integrative Framework · 2026 · DOI

• These challenges are exacerbated in Sub-Saharan Africa by inequalities in digital access, inadequate regulatory capacity, insufficient data-protection systems, language and cultural under-representation, and uneven institutional preparation.

  Protecting the Learner in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An Educational Psychology Policy Agenda for Student Well-Being, Agency and Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa · 2026 · DOI

• This article examines the role of strategic leadership in mitigating organizational knowledge loss during digital migration, addressing a gap in the literature where digital transformation research and knowledge management research have largely developed along separate tracks.

  The Role of Strategic Leadership in Mitigating Organizational Knowledge Loss During Digital Migration · 2026 · DOI

• RESULTS: The results present mixed findings, as digital leadership was an insignificant predictor of green digital innovation.

  Driving green digital innovation in higher education: the influence of leadership and dynamic capabilities on cultivating a green digital mindset and knowledge sharing for sustainable practices · 2025 · DOI

• The lack of digital innovation capacity in MSMEs results in their loss of competitive advantage. Digital-based MSMEs need to create sustainable innovation capabilities to succeed in their business competition.

  The Influence of Digital Leadership, Knowledge Management Capability and Innovation Climate on Digital Innovation Capability in Digital-Based MSMEs · 2026 · DOI

• No longitudinal data or case studies are presented to validate whether the proposed three strategic approaches actually improve MSME competitiveness over time.

  The Influence of Digital Leadership, Knowledge Management Capability and Innovation Climate on Digital Innovation Capability in Digital-Based MSMEs · 2026 · DOI

• The e-commerce industry faces rapid transformations, - Organizations need to develop digital leadership skills to compete in the market, - Leaders need to effectively combine technological systems with data resources to create business value through their innovation strategies.

  The Influence of Cultural Adaptability, Digital Knowledge Management and Organizational Support on Digital Leadership Capability in E-Commerce Companies · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in the development of digital leadership skills in e-commerce organizations. The research gap is the need for organizations to establish an adaptive organizational culture which includes technology-based knowledge management together with complete organizational support to develop their digital leadership skills.

  The Influence of Cultural Adaptability, Digital Knowledge Management and Organizational Support on Digital Leadership Capability in E-Commerce Companies · 2026 · DOI

• Longitudinal/intervention studies are recommended to further investigate the relationship between AI usage and heutagogy. Future studies should consider the potential of AI to support and challenge the core principles of heutagogical learning. The study's findings can inform the development of AI-supported learning environments that foster autonomous, reflective engagement with mathematics.

  High and low heutagogy orientations among mathematics pre-service teachers and their relation to academic AI-usage · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between AI usage and heutagogy. The study highlights the need for further research on the role of AI in shaping learner agency and the configuration of heutagogy within mathematics teacher education.

  High and low heutagogy orientations among mathematics pre-service teachers and their relation to academic AI-usage · 2026 · DOI

• The complexity of interconnected global challenges. The need for shifts in leadership paradigms toward long-term value creation and environmental responsibility. The limitations of traditional education in fostering complex leadership competencies.

  Smart Technologies as Tools for Developing Sustainable Leadership Competencies in the Education System: A Conceptual Model and Directions for Empirical Validation · 2026 · DOI

• Future studies can empirically test the proposed conceptual model using structural equation modeling. Research can explore the impact of smart technologies on sustainable leadership development in different contexts.

  Smart Technologies as Tools for Developing Sustainable Leadership Competencies in the Education System: A Conceptual Model and Directions for Empirical Validation · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a research gap in the study of AI-powered organizational transformation, particularly in the context of cross-cultural leadership and digital thinking. The paper notes that existing literature has rarely systematically empirically tested the synergistic effect of digital thinking, change management, and cross-cultural leadership.

  AI-powered organizational transformation: the role of digital mindset, change management, and cross-cultural leadership in shaping future business strategies · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in the literature on digital leadership, technology adoption, and gender empowerment. The study aims to address this gap by examining the role of digital leadership and artificial intelligence adoption in enhancing women's empowerment and managerial decision-making.

  Woman’s Empowerment Through Digital Leadership: Exploring How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Tools Can Improve Managerial Decision-Making in Public Sectors of Pakistan · 2026 · DOI

• Prior studies predominantly focus on direct effects, neglecting the mediating role of organizational innovation. There is a gap in understanding how digital transformation and HR competence contribute to operational effectiveness.

  Digital Transformation and Human Resource Competence As Drivers of Operational Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Organizational Innovation in Port Operations · 2026 · DOI

• Port operators are encouraged to strengthen integrated digital transformation strategies that are embedded in core port operations, including vessel traffic management, cargo handling, terminal operations, and port service administration. Digital initiatives should be designed to improve interoperability among port systems (e.g., terminal operating systems, billing systems, and customer service platforms), rather than implemented as isolated technological solutions. Continuous development of human resource competence is essential for port operators, particularly in enhancing digital skills, operational analytics capabilities, and adaptability to technological change. This can be achieved through structured training programs, certification in port-related digital systems, on-the-job learning, and the cultivation of a strong learning-oriented organizational culture to support digital port operations. Port operators should establish a structured innovation management system that actively involves employees across operational, technical, and administrative functions. Such a system should facilitate the generation, testing, and implementation of innovations across port processes, safety, service efficiency, and customer experience, ensuring that these initiatives translate into tangible improvements in operational effectiveness. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author would like to express sincere gratitude to all parties who have contributed to the completion of this article entitled “The Dynamics of Human Character Development from the Perspective of Ar-Razi,” particularly scholars and researchers in the fields of Islamic psychology, philosophy, and Qur’anic studies whose works provided essential theoretical foundations, as well as colleagues and mentors for their constructive feedback, valuable discussions, and encouragement throughout the writing process, and heartfelt thanks are also extended to family and close associates for their continuous moral support and motivation that greatly contributed to the successful completion of this article. REFERENCES Navi Muda Priyatna, “Transformasi Digital: Efisiensi dan Inovasi dalam Manajemen Operasional,” Economic Reviews Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.56709/mrj.v3i3.525. E. Ahyani and E. M. Dhuhani, “Transformasi Digital dalam Manajemen Perkantoran Pendidikan: Sebuah Kajian Literatur,” Jurnal Visionary: Penelitian dan Pengembangan dibidang Administrasi Pendidikan, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 205, Apr. 2024, doi: 10.33394/vis.v12i1.10785. P. C. Verhoef et al., “Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 122, pp. 889–901, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.022. https://doi.org/10.58421/misro.v5i2.1100 1369 M.

  Digital Transformation and Human Resource Competence As Drivers of Operational Effectiveness: The Mediating Role of Organizational Innovation in Port Operations · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need for a new approach to leadership in the digital era. Prior research has focused on traditional leadership styles, but there is a lack of understanding of digital leadership and its influence on virtual team performance.

  Pengaruh Kepemimpinan Digital Terhadap Kinerja Tim Virtual · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need to understand how heutagogical learning environments support academic agency in culturally conservative communities. Prior research has not fully explored the experiences of ultra-Orthodox female students in higher education.

  Heutagogical empowerment in culturally conservative higher education: reflective assessment, dialogic learning, and the emergence of academic agency · 2026 · DOI

• There is a limited understanding of how digital leadership contributes to organizational ambidexterity and strategic decision-making. The lack of integration between these constructs can lead to ineffective decision-making processes.

  Sustainable Digital Leadership: Relations with Organizational Ambidexterity and Strategic Decision-Making in Middle School Educational Leaders · 2026 · DOI

• There is a gap in the literature regarding the level of digital leadership of head teachers in primary schools in Putrajaya. There is a need to study the level of digital leadership of head teachers in primary schools in Putrajaya.

  Head Teachers' Digital Leadership Practices in Co-Curriculum Management: A Survey Study in Putrajaya Primary Schools · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in existing leadership theories in explaining leadership effectiveness in a VUCA world. The research notes that existing leadership theories have limitations in addressing the complexities of global leadership.

  Beyond Fragmented Leadership Models: A Conceptual Integrated Theory of Leadership Effectiveness in a VUCA World · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in the literature on instructional design in Islamic education. The gap is related to the lack of integrated instructional design models.

  Desain Pembelajaran Berdasarkan Prinsip Pedagogi, Andragogi dan Heutagogi · 2026 · DOI

• Digital transformation provides huge opportunities while also intensifying organizational challenges. The gap between employees' actual performance and organizational expectations continues to widen.

  Steering the digital transformation of service-oriented organizations by job crafting and innovative work behavior: employee-driven adaptability · 2026 · DOI

• Prior research has paid limited attention to employees' proactive behaviors, such as job crafting and innovative work behavior. The gap between employees' actual performance and organizational expectations continues to widen.

  Steering the digital transformation of service-oriented organizations by job crafting and innovative work behavior: employee-driven adaptability · 2026 · DOI

• There is a lack of understanding about the relationship between digital leadership and cybersecurity governance in secondary schools. Prior studies have highlighted the importance of cybersecurity governance, but have not explored the role of digital leadership.

  DIGITAL LEADERSHIP AND CYBERSECURITY GOVERNANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Educational Leadership and Innovation

• Building dynamic capabilities for digital transformation: An ongoing process of strategic renewal · Long Range Planning · 2018 · 2,899 citations
• Does digital transformation improve the firm’s performance? From the perspective of digitalization paradox and managerial myopia · Journal of Business Research · 2023 · 448 citations
• Strategizing in a digital world: Overcoming cognitive barriers, reconfiguring routines and introducing new organizational forms · Long Range Planning · 2021 · 371 citations
• Higher education strategy in digital transformation · Education and Information Technologies · 2021 · 368 citations
• Distributed leadership: according to the evidence · Journal of Educational Administration · 2008 · 352 citations
• Leadership characteristics and digital transformation · Journal of Business Research · 2020 · 333 citations
• Transformational leadership and employee creativity · Management Decision · 2015 · 326 citations
• Exploring Human Resource Management Digital Transformation in the Digital Age · Journal of the Knowledge Economy · 2023 · 315 citations
• On the issues of digital competence in educational contexts – a review of literature · Education and Information Technologies · 2017 · 300 citations
• School Technology Leadership: An Empirical Investigation of Prevalence and Effect · Educational Administration Quarterly · 2005 · 279 citations

Most recent work

• The positive impact of transformational leadership on digital transformation and innovation in agri-food SMEs · Journal of Innovation & Knowledge · 2026
• Digital innovation in higher education: comparing approaches in developed and developing countries · Frontiers in Education · 2026
• From autonomy to digital leadership: Multilevel pathways to school improvement in OECD education systems · Educational Management Administration & Leadership · 2026
• Digital Leadership and Employee Innovation: A Sequential Mediation Model of Job Crafting and Innovation Efficacy · SAGE Open · 2026
• Beyond Single Perspectives: Response Surface Analysis of Distributed Leadership Congruence and Teacher Satisfaction · Leadership and Policy in Schools · 2026
• From digital leadership to digital resilience in AI-enabled hospitality: a sequential mediation of digital culture and digital service innovation · Cogent Business & Management · 2026
• Higher Education 4.0: capturing the voices of faculty members · Frontiers in Education · 2026
• The importance of ethics, governance and leadership in meeting the artificial intelligence challenge in higher education: a critical review · Cogent Education · 2026
• Generative artificial intelligence in teacher education: perceptions, attitudes, and transformative digital resources · Cogent Education · 2026
• Mediating and moderating mechanisms of the digital bridge between infrastructure and entrepreneurial performance · Technology in Society · 2026

Related topics in Social Sciences