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Open research questions in Educational Leadership and Innovation

89 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 787 Educational Leadership and Innovation papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The study concludes that the integration of ICT in public comprehensive schools is not limited by a lack of leadership but by a specific and correctable gap within transformational leadership.

    Headteachers' Transformational Leadership and ICT Integration in Public Comprehensive Schools in Nyeri County, Kenya · 2026 · DOI

  • Based on the above-mentioned limitations, the study recommends that researchers increase the samples more widely within the scope of Iraqi universities, including private universities, to spread and improve the benefit. In addition, artificial intelligence should be applied in universities and attention should be paid to digital transformation and digital innovation, as they have an effective role in improving the quality of education and increasing the efficiency of the performance of educational and administrative institutions in general and the teaching staff in particular. The study also recommends that researchers use various research methodologies, such as longitudinal or experimental studies, to test the causal relationships between artificial intelligence and other variables.

    The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Enabling Digital Innovation/ The Mediating Role of Digital Transformation: A Survey Study Opinions of a Sample for Faculty Members at University of Ninevah · 2026 · DOI

  • -This study revealed that the digital leadership level of school principals positively contributes to the level of schools becoming learning organizations and the level of teachers' self-leadership skills. In the study, teachers' digital leadership perception levels about school principals were found to be high. However, school principals can still receive the necessary in-service training and renew themselves to improve their digital leadership levels. - The digital leadership skills of school principals can be taken into consideration as a criterion during the school principal assignment phase. School principals with high digital leadership levels can be preferred. - It may be beneficial to allocate a budget to schools during the digitalization process in education. - School principals should positively motivate teachers, students and parents for digital transformation in education. - School principals can make a significant contribution to the transformation of schools into learning organizations and the development of teachers' self-leadership skills by further increasing their digital leadership levels. It is thought that these developments will affect students' academic success positively.

    The Impact of School Principals' Digital Leadership Level on Learning Organization and Teachers' Self Leadership Skills · 2026 · DOI

  • Also, it is pos- sible that some leaders and organisational capabilities were left out of the study since the items chosen to represent this study were limited to the construction management firm, which implies that the study does not signify the opinions of other stakeholders in the country. The most important ones are that the information may not be representative of the target community because it was obtained in an easy-to-access manner.

    Organisational and leadership impact on digital capabilities within the construction industry · 2026 · DOI

  • Though the results show valid construct to develop the model, sample size cannot be justified. Some technical terms are used in the questionnaire and chances to wrong clarification of the data collectors to their respondents. Strategic leadership and its exercises through dynamic use of information technology is obviously proven. Education for the youth and role of technology in upheaval of peace and justice for the greatest number of people should be vigorously investigated-not only for the organization but also for the society for its sustainable welfare.

    Strategic Factors of Gen Z's Leadership in Technology-Mediated Student Protests: Empirical Insights from the July Movement in Bangladesh · 2026 · DOI

  • Although limited to the characteristics of the qualitative sample and not intended to generate findings applicable to the entire Romanian HR practice, the findings suggest that digital transformation in HR is primarily experienced as a capability development process, supported by integrated digital systems that enhance employee efficiency and autonomy, while also presenting challenges related to resistance to change and skills shortages.

    Managing Human Resources Strategically in Romania: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Digital Transformation, Sustainability and Cultural Influences · 2026 · DOI

  • Other frameworks Richardson et al. (2021) Tømte and Smedsrud (2023) Håkansson Lindqvist (2019) Dagli et al. (2022) Willermark et al. (2024) Palau et al. (2024) Karakose et al.

    Digitalization and school leadership: a scoping review · 2026 · DOI

  • For School Leaders Increase focus on the Cybersecurity Awareness and Ethics aspects of digital leadership: Communicate cybersecurity threats on a regular basis in terms accessible to the school community and incorporate cybersecurity responsibility into all staff roles not just IT roles. Experience level differentiation between cybersecurity leadership approaches: structured onboarding for new staff and advanced governance development for experienced colleagues, noting that the DL–CG leadership relationship grows stronger exponentially with administration experience.

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

  • The conceptual model relies on a proposed cross-sectional design that cannot capture the dynamic temporal development of sustainable leadership competencies through smart technology integration. Longitudinal studies and experimental designs comparing groups with varying levels of technology integration intensity are necessary to establish causal mechanisms and competency trajectories over time.

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

  • The model does not account for individual-level behavioral and personal differences among learners that may affect competency development. Future research must include control variables such as baseline digital competence, prior participation in environmental initiatives, and individual attitudes toward sustainability to test alternative developmental pathways.

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

  • The proposed sequential mediated model (systems thinking → environmental responsibility → strategic decision-making) explaining smart technology integration's influence on sustainable leadership competencies has not been empirically validated. Structural equation modeling (SEM) or partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM) is required to assess the direct, indirect, and moderating effects of institutional orientation toward sustainable development within educational settings.

    Smart Technologies as Tools for Developing Sustainable Leadership Competencies in the Education System: A Conceptual Model and Directions for Empirical Validation · 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 process of DT is challenging one, as the biggest obstacles that companies meet are: employees, who resist to change, have insufficient digital skills and are insufficiently involvement.

    WORKPLACE DIGITALIZATION IN NORTH MACEDONIA: EMPIRICAL RESEARCH FROM AN HR PERSPECTIVE · 2025 · DOI

  • The study's findings open up avenues for further research on the impact of suggested variables, such as the number of technology-related training courses and the learning environment, whether governmental or private, on the relationship between technological competencies and organizational creativity.

    The Degree of Practicing Technological Competencies by School Principals in Jordan in the Light of the Standards of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and its Relation to the Organizational Creativity from their Point of View · 2024 · DOI

  • This quantitative correlationalstudy addressed this gap in knowledge by investigating the predictiverelationship between dimensions of the Full Range Leadership Theory, transformational,transactional, and laissez-faire leadership behaviors, and the overall jobsatisfaction of adjunct faculty who teach online classes at a for-profituniversity in the United States.

    Online Adjunct Faculty: A Quantitative Examination of the Predictive Relationship between Leadership and Job Satisfaction · 2018 · DOI

  • Originality/value LSS project leaders have achieved improved bottom line results and customer satisfaction in a wide range of industries, but LSS application in the HEIs remains to be explored.

    Lean Six Sigma leadership in higher education institutions · 2017 · DOI

  • Although there is a growing body of literature about the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) into K-12 schools and the ways how individually school principals can lead and support these initiatives, little is known about to what extent principals’ technology leadership (TL) practices are predictable by school’s organization culture and present ICT infrastructure.

    Investigation of Principals’ Technology Leadership Profiles in the context of Schools’ Learning Organization Culture and ICT Infrastructure: F@tih Project Schools vs. the Others · 2016 · DOI

  • While both project management and change management are recognized as crucial drivers of transformation, their integration remains insufficiently theorized and empirically examined.

    Bridging change and project management by enhancing stakeholder engagement and adaptability in digital transformation · 2026 · DOI

  • Policymakers and institutional leaders must recognise that technological investment alone is insufficient; successful transformation requires attention to digital equity, staff readiness, organisational culture, and psychological safety.

    Human-Centred Academic Leadership in Digital Transformation of Higher Education: Insights from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper provides recommendations for enhancing digital innovation capability but does not specify how these approaches should be adapted for MSMEs with varying levels of digital maturity.

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

  • The research lacks discussion of implementation challenges and barriers that MSMEs might face when attempting to establish digital documentation systems and internal knowledge-sharing platforms.

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

  • The research does not explicitly address how digital leadership, knowledge management capability, and innovation climate interact across different sizes and sectors of MSMEs, limiting generalizability of findings.

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

  • Future research should investigate how the human aspects evolve across roles and layers of the organisation and how leaders can actually mobilise people to enable sustainable transformation.

    The human factor in digital transformation: why technologyis not enough · 2025 · DOI

  • This dual-theoretical perspective offers a novel explanation of how digital leadership, digital skills and digital strategy interact to generate competitive advantage within the tourism and hospitality sector – an area that remains underexplored in emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia.

    Unpacking the pathways from digital leadership to competitive advantage: mediating insights from digital skills and strategy in tourism and hospitality · 2025 · DOI

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89 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 787 Educational Leadership and Innovation papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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