Exploring the Interplay of Digital Leadership and Conscientiousness on Innovative Behaviour in Hospitality Frontlines

Innovative service behaviour is indispensable for any organisation to contain innovative activities and attain an edge over competitors from digital transformation. Although extensive research has examined the relationship between leadership and innovative service behaviour, the concept of digital leadership that fosters innovative behaviour remains unclear. Research in this context examines the moderating effect of conscientiousness between digital leadership and frontline personnel's innovative behaviour in the hospitality industry. Upper echelon theory validates this association. We measured the theoretical model in the hospitality sector of Malaysia. Our study employs a three-wave design with a four-month time-lagged interval (N=370). The findings of the study propose that the moderating effect of conscientiousness between the digital leadership and service innovative behaviour is significant. The study has significant implications for applying the effect of digital leadership on momentous workers’ outcomes regarding the boundary condition of the effect of employee conscientiousness. The limitations and future research of the study are discussed.