The role of transformational leadership in promoting digital transformation through employee engagement in public administration

Purpose This article examines the role of transformational leadership in driving digital transformation in public administration, focusing on the mediating effect of employee engagement. It highlights the importance of skilled leadership in promoting innovation, employee satisfaction and successful digital transformation outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The research focuses on the Tunisian public sector, using Structural Equation Model (SEM), to validate a conceptual model and provide practical recommendations. Data were collected through a survey of employees in the Tunisian Ministry of Education. Findings The results support the hypothesized relationships, indicating that transformational leadership positively influences employee engagement and digital transformation. Furthermore, employee engagement mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and digital transformation. Research limitations/implications The current study has a number of limitations. First of all, the results cannot be generalized because this study is based on only a small sample of public sector organizations in Tunisia. Therefore, future research should be in the form of comparisons between ministries or between countries, which is more appropriate for the analysis of the implementation of digital transformation over time in future studies. Practical implications This study provides insights into the organizational behavior of leaders and digital transformation. It highlights the essential role of the leadership in the public administration sector. In addition, it is an expression of the research in the field of public management and in the achievement of good governance in the public sector in Tunisia. Social implications The results will offer concrete avenues for organizations seeking to adopt effective leadership practices in their digital initiatives. This can have a social impact by making it easier to adapt to digital technologies, improving productivity and efficiency, and fostering a more innovative and collaborative organizational culture. Originality/value This study focuses on the Tunisian public sector, an area that has been relatively underexplored in the existing literature. By examining these relationships in a unique culture and political context, this study provides novel insights in to how leadership dynamics and digital transformation efforts can be enhanced in developing countries.