Führung im Kontext der Digitalisierung

  • David Lehner

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

This master's thesis deals with the topic of leadership in the context of digitalisation. Advancing digitalisation is confronting companies with farreaching changes and fundamentally changing the nature of corporate management. Traditional management approaches, which were developed in a more stable and less dynamic environment, are reaching their limits in today's digitalised world. This thesis is dedicated to the central question of the extent to which the digital transformation is changing the demands on managers and which competences are necessary to be able to lead successfully in this new environment. Based on this, the extent to which the new leadership approaches can cover the necessary competence requirements of digitalisation is worked out. The methodology of the thesis is based on a literature review. The thesis is divided into several sections that systematically build on each other. At the beginning, a theoretical framework is created by explaining the relevant terms, such as corporate management and digitalisation. Subsequently, the changes in the framework conditions in the digital age are explained. Based on this, the consequences of digitalisation and digital transformation for the corporate environment are discussed. Furthermore, it is shown how these changes in the digital age affect management work. To this end, characteristics in connection with leadership competences are researched and discussed. Finally, the characteristics are compared with selected leadership styles and discussed. Digitalisation is profoundly changing organisations by requiring flexibility and virtual collaboration. Companies must rethink their business models in order to remain competitive in a dynamic and uncertain "VUCA" environment. Managers are required to promote trust and use digital communication and collaboration tools to enable (virtual) collaboration regardless of time and place. In times of digital transformation, managers are required to relinquish power and orientate themselves more towards the needs of employees. The most important skills for managers in the digital age are communication, visionary and strategic thinking, motivation, collaboration and digital skills. These characteristics are partially covered in the leadership approaches "full range of leadership", "super leadership", shared and distributed leadership and agile leadership. A digital mindset and digital skills are a basic requirement for managers in the digital age.
Date of Award2024
Original languageGerman (Austria)
SupervisorChristine Ebner (Supervisor)

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