Challenges and mitigating strategies for sustainable development of digitally transformed Community 5.0: insights from the higher education leadership

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the challenges and opportunities for Higher Education Leaders for developing digital Community 5.0 in higher education institutions (HEIs). Moreover, the review aims at exploring various challenges faced by educational leaders amid the rapid advancement of smart technologies in the Community 5.0 paradigm from a global perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study has utilized a scoping literature review approach to synthesize the existing body of knowledge on the challenges and opportunities for higher education leaders in the context of Community 5.0. In review, a total of (n = 50) articles and 5 gray literature were used. This study has followed the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2015) for a scoping review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were used for the reporting of the review. Findings The findings revealed that educational leaders in HEIs are facing multiple challenges in integrating Community 5.0 principles in HEIs due to poor technological infrastructure and limited access to Internet facilities, which hinders the adoption of Community 5.0. Moreover, it is discovered that faculty members of HEIs were lacking in proper training on digital technology. Since the technological changes are rapid across the world and everyday new technology is being introduced due to the use of Artificial Intelligence, the leaders need to use adaptive leadership approaches which can address the challenges of HEIs in the era of Community 5.0. Moreover, the gaps, which have been specified from this review, suggested that Community 5.0 should aim to create an inclusive, sustainable and connected society that can address the challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, there is a need for a policy shift in HEIs which can tackle the problems of the technological era. Practical implications Practically, this review suggests that the leaders in HEIs should integrate digital literacy and emerging technology training into leadership development programs, redesign curricula to align with the skill demands of Community 5.0, arrange professional development trainings for the faculty and staff and establish strategic partnerships with industry and technology providers to foster innovation. Theoretically, this review asserted that leaders should integrate leadership practices that can digitally transform HEIs in the era of Community 5.0. Moreover, this review offers actionable strategies to guide digital transformation initiatives while ensuring inclusivity, ethical governance and sustainable development in HEIs. Originality/value This study shows the existing trends of Community 5.0 paradigm in higher education landscape, which has affected the leadership of higher education settings. Community 5.0 is the latest development in the research community; therefore, this paper will contribute to the literature and may be the unique review, which has elaborated the role of leadership in the higher education context.