Strategic Leadership as the Primary Driver of HR Digital Transformation: A DEMATEL Analysis with Implications for Emerging Economies

Digital transformation has fundamentally reshaped human resource management (HRM) practices across industries worldwide. While numerous studies have explored the critical success factors (CSFs) for Digital HRM (DHRM) implementation, the causal relationships among these factors—and specifically which factor serves as the primary driver—remain insufficiently understood, particularly in the context of emerging economies. This study employs a hybrid methodology combining meta-synthesis (to identify CSFs from prior literature) and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique (to map causal relationships among factors). Six key themes were identified: strategic leadership and management, digital infrastructure and technology, change management and organizational readiness, organizational culture and digital human capital, continuous improvement and feedback, and ethical and security considerations. DEMATEL analysis reveals that strategic leadership and management holds the highest causal influence (R−C = ۱.۵۴۷۹), functioning as the primary driver of all other factors. Change management and organizational readiness exhibited the highest overall prominence (R+C = ۶.۳۵۲), indicating its centrality in the system. These findings offer actionable implications for organizations in emerging economies pursuing digital HR transformation, highlighting that leadership commitment and strategic alignment must precede and enable all other reform efforts.

کلیدواژه ها:

Digital HRM ، Strategic Leadership ، DEMATEL ، Digital Transformation ، Emerging Economies ، Critical Success Factors ، Change Management ، HR Digitalization