A Conceptual Framework of Engineering Leadership for Sustainable Digital Transformation and Innovation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54518/jaei.3.1.2025.1328Keywords:
Digital Transformation, Engineering Leadership, Innovation Capability, Sustainable Engineering, Technological CompetitivenessAbstract
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has fundamentally transformed modern engineering by integrating Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Digital Twin, big data analytics, and cyber-physical systems into engineering activities. This transformation requires engineering leadership that extends beyond operational management to strategically integrate digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability in order to enhance long-term technological competitiveness. This study aims to develop a conceptual framework that explains the relationships among engineering leadership, digital transformation, innovation capability, and sustainable technological competitiveness through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The review synthesized peer-reviewed international journal articles published from reputable scientific databases. The findings indicate that engineering leadership serves as a strategic driver of digital technology adoption, organizational innovation, resilience, and sustainable engineering practices. Furthermore, digital transformation and innovation capability complement one another in improving engineering performance and strengthening long-term competitive advantage. Based on the synthesized evidence, this study proposes an integrated conceptual framework positioning engineering leadership as the central mechanism connecting technological innovation, organizational adaptability, and sustainable competitiveness. The proposed framework contributes to the advancement of engineering leadership theory while providing strategic guidance for engineering organizations seeking to implement sustainable digital transformation and strengthen technological competitiveness in increasingly dynamic engineering environments.
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