Digital Invasion or Digital Empowerment? The Role of Work-Life Balance in the Relationship between Digital Leadership and Employee Engagement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61132/icmeb.v3i1.380Keywords:
Digital Transformational Leadership, Employee Engagement, Work-Life BalanceAbstract
This study seeks to investigate the direct impact of digital transformational leadership on employee engagement and to analyze the mediating function of work-life balance within higher education institutions in Medan. A quantitative methodology was utilized, employing a survey technique with a structured questionnaire disseminated to professors at higher education institutions in North Sumatra Province. The study's population and sample consisted of 120 permanent academics in North Sumatra Province. We utilized a questionnaire to collect data and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze it. The findings indicated that digital transformative leadership exerted a favorable and significant impact on lecturer engagement. Nonetheless, work-life balance was not demonstrated to be a significant mediator or moderator in this relationship. This study demonstrates that within the framework of digital transformation, professor engagement is more significantly affected by leadership practices than by perceptions of work-life balance. Digital leadership that works can give teachers more power and make them more interested, but problems that come with the digital invasion need to be handled carefully. This study suggests that companies, particularly higher education institutions, should prioritize the enhancement of digital leadership capacity to sustain and elevate employee engagement in the digital age.
Downloads
References
Aditya, D. J. D., & Deviastri, L. (2024). Influence Work Life Balance and Compensation on Employee Performance with Satisfaction Work as a Mediating. Human Capital and Organizations, 1(2), 88–100. https://doi.org/10.58777/hco.v1i2.224
Ahiabu, M. K., Adzivor, E. K., Attipoe, J. A., Agyapong, J. A. M., & Abiemo, M. K. (2024). Beyond bricks and mortar: Work-life balance and project performance of Ghana’s construction professionals – Does co-worker relationship quality matter? Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 10(February), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100940
Ahmad, S., Islam, T., & Kaleem, A. (2025). The power of playful work design in the hospitality industry: Mapping the implications for employee engagement, taking charge and the moderation of contrived fun. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 128(February 2024), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2025.104154
Ahmed, H. A. M., Al-Romeedy, B. S., Badwy, H. E., & Abdelghani, A. A. A. (2025). The effect of transformational entrepreneurship on competitive advantage in tourism and hospitality organizations through organizational support and employee resilience. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities, 6(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.58256/d09d8c80
Amjad, B. M. A.-G. H. M. G. S. H. A. S. R. (2022). Green transformational leadership and green creativity? The mediating role of green thinking and green organizational identity in SMEs. Frontiers in Psychology, 1(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.977998
Bauwens, R., Audenaert, M., & Decramer, A. (2024). Performance management systems, innovative work behavior and the role of transformational leadership: an experimental approach. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness, 11(1), 178–195. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOEPP-03-2022-0066
Bhastary, M. D., Hou, A., & Goh, T. S. (2024). The Role of Employee Green Behaviors in Green Teacher Performance in the Madrasah Environment in Medan City with an Organizational Ambidexterity and Green Self-Efficacy Approach. Society, 12(2), 696–713. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v12i2.729
Chong, Y. K., & Zainal, S. R. M. (2024). Employee agility’s moderating role on the link between employee vitality, digital literacy and transformational leadership with job performance: an empirical study. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2337447
Demeke, G. W., van Engen, M. L., & Markos, S. (2024). Servant Leadership in the Healthcare Literature: A Systematic Review. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 16(December 2023), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S440160
Dewi, N. P., Nurhatisyah, N., Elkarima, N., & Pawar, A. (2025). Transformational Leadership, Digital Competence, and Employee Performance: Examining the Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and the Moderating Influence of Perceived Organizational Support in Riau Islands Province. Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis, 16(1), 47–72. https://doi.org/10.18196/mb.v16i1.25429
Fadli, A. (2024). The Influence of Safety Leadership and Work Engagement on Job Satisfaction ( Case Study at University of Mahkota Tricom Unggul ). Journal of Business Integration and Competitive (JoBIC), 1(1), 21–30.
Faris, S., Rezeki, F., & Lubis, A. (2024). Enhancing Public Sector Performance : Work Engagement as a Mediator between Organizational Justice , Support , and Employee Outcomes in Bireuen Regency , Indonesia. Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science, 11(12), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.33168/JLISS.2024.1201
Farrukh, M., Ansari, N., Raza, A., Wu, Y., & Wang, H. (2022). Fostering employee’s pro-environmental behavior through green transformational leadership, green human resource management and environmental knowledge. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 179(June), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121643
Ferry, H., Ira Sinaga, M., & Hoki, L. (2024). The effects of transformational leadership and motivation on teacher performance at yayasan rabiatul adawiyah medan. Digital Business: Tren Bisnis Masa Depan, 15(1), 18–22. https://doi.org/10.59651/dibus
Gaan, N. (2023). Cross-level effect of resonant leadership on remote engagement: A moderated mediation analysis in the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. European Management Journal, January, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2023.01.004
Hafeez, S., Memon, M. A., Mirza, M. Z., Raziq, M. M., Sarwar, N., & Ting, H. (2024). The dual impact of job variety on employee happiness and stress: the mediating role of employee engagement and burnout. Journal of Management Development, 43(2), 170–186. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-03-2023-0084
Harinto, A. (2024). The Influence of Workload on Lecturer Performance through Job Satisfaction at the IT & B Medan Campus. Journal of Business Integration and Competitive (JoBIC), 1(1), 1–9.
Hasrul Azwar Hasibuan, Syaifuddin, Rusiadi, & Nasib. (2022). Changes in the Performance of Millennial Employees during the Covid 19 Period at Four Star Hotels in Medan City. International Journal of Research and Review, 19(April), 320–324.
Honkley, T., Banuari, N., & Tandeas, W. (2025). Peer Trust as a Mediator Between Learning Organization Culture and Innovative Behavior Among Faculty. Journal of Business Integration and Competitive, 1(2), 141–154. https://doi.org/Journal of Business Integration and Competitive
Klein, G. (2023). Transformational and transactional leadership, organizational support and environmental competition intensity as antecedents of intrapreneurial behaviors. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 29(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2023.100215
Lu, J. M. A. O. M. C. (2021). Computers in Human Behavior The impact of techno-stressors on work – life balance : The moderation of job self-efficacy and the mediation of emotional exhaustion ☆. Computers in Human Behavior, 122(5), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106811
Lubis, F. R. A., Syaifuddin, Sofiyan, Lubis, Y., & Nasib. (2023). Impact of Improving Organizational Climate , Employee Empowerment on Employee Engagement and Performance. Journal of System and Management Sciences, 13(2), 273–284. https://doi.org/10.33168/JSMS.2023.0219
Lubis, F., & Tanjung, M. (2024). The Influence of Emotional Intelligence and Work Life Balance on Employee Performance in the Central Tapanuli Regency Government Jambura Journal of Educational Management. Jambura Journal of Educational Management, 5(1), 273–283.
Lubis, Y., Ananda, F. R., Syaifuddin, Sofiyan, & Nasib. (2024). The Impact of Volunteerism and Emotional Regulation Traits on Job Satisfaction and Performance an Indonesian Agribusiness Corporation. Journal of System and Management Sciences, 14(11), 431–448. https://doi.org/10.33168/jsms.2024.1123
Lubis, Y., Suryani, W., Hernosa, S. P., Rezeki, F., & Lubis, A. (2025). Exploring the Influence of Employee Green Creativity on Green Performance Through Voluntary Green Behavior. Society, 13(1), 728–746. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v13i1.771
Luissa, B. A. (2024). The South East Asian Journal of Management Investigation of The Antecedents of The Digital Mindset and Its Influence on Employee Intention to Stay in Generation Z : Empirical Study in The Indonesian Creative Industry Investigation of The Antecedents of Th. The South East Asian Journal of Management Volume, 18(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.21002/seam.v18i2.1576
Mikuskova, E. B. (2023). Exploring the Nexus of Digital Leadership and Digital Literacy on Higher Education Performance: The Role of Digital Innovatio. European Journal of Educational Research, 12(4), 1657–1665.
Mollah, M. A. (2025). Exploring the Effect of Digital Leadership, Employee Engagement and Organizational Commitment on Employee Performance: An Investigation in Bangladesh. Khulna University Business Review, 19(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.35649/kubr.2024.19.1.3
Msuya, M. S., & Kumar, A. B. (2022). The role of supervisor work-life support on the correlation between work autonomy, workload and performance: perspective from Tanzania banking employees. Future Business Journal, 8(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-022-00139-3
Muliati, L. (2022). Elementary School Teachers Performance: How The Role of Transformational Leadership, Competency, and Self-Efficacy? International Journal of Social and Management Studies, 03(01), 158–166. https://www.ijosmas.org/index.php/ijosmas/article/view/97/79
Nasib. (2020). Leadership Role Iin The Commitment And Performance of Employees InThe Regional Company Of Medan. International Journal For Innovativate In Multidisciplinary Field, 6(8), 58–63.
Nugraha, I., Sukmarini, A. V., & Yusuf, M. (2025). The Influence of Transformational Leadership and Organizational Culture on Employee Performance Through Organizational Commitment. Journal La Sociale, 01(06), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v6i5.2231
Nurcahyo, T. W. (2021). Reward, Perceived Organizational And Supervisor Support (POS), Work Life Balance Sebagai Faktor Kinerja Karyawan Melalui Employee Engagement. Performance, 28(2014), 14–27.
Özkan Alakaş, E. (2024). Digital transformational leadership and organizational agility in digital transformation: Structural equation modelling of the moderating effects of digital culture and digital strategy. Journal of High Technology Management Research, 35(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hitech.2024.100517
Pradila, A. T., & Fadli, J. A. (2023). The Effect Of Salary And Work-Life Balance On Employee Productivity With The Mediation Of Employee Work Motivation At Coffee Shops In Jabodetabekonic Word of Mouth dan Online Customer Rating Terhadap Mahasiswa Calon Konsumen TikTok Shop di Yogyakarta. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Kesatuan, 11(3), 1505–1518. https://doi.org/10.37641/jimkes.v11i3.2084
Putra, I., Syahrul, L., & Yulihasri. (2023). The effect of digital literacy and transformational leadership on employee performance mediated by innovative work behavior at the Padang city population and civil registration service. Enrichment : Journal of Management, 12(6), 5014–5022. https://doi.org/10.35335/enrichment.v12i6.1124
Rezeki, F., Mardiputera, H. M., & Wulandari, A. (2023). High and Low Levels of Employee Performance: The Role of Transformational Leadership Styles and Employee Engagement. Asian Journal of Management Entrepreneurship and Social Science, 03(03), 568–584. https://ajmesc.com/index.php/ajmesc
Sigit Wicaksono, A., Hendri, M. I., Daud, I., & Rosnani, T. (2024). The Effect of Communication, Work Discipline and Work Life Balance on Employee Performance. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Kesatuan, 12(4), 1219–1226. https://doi.org/10.37641/jimkes.v12i4.2728
Sinaga, P. Y. P. R. V. H. N. R. S. S. M. Y. N. D. C. (2022). The Influence of Leadership Style, Communication, and Work Discipline on Employee Performance of PT Sinar Gunung Sawit Raya. International Journal of Social Science and Business, 6(2), 275–281. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijssb.v6i2.46365
Sofiyan, S., Syaifuddin, S., Lubis, F. R. A., Nasib, N., Indonesia, U. P., & Sofiyan, S. (2026). Employee poaching and turnover intention investigation model at five famous universities in Medan City. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 24(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/ 10.4102/sajhrm.v24i0.3279
Subhaktiyasa, P. G., Andriana, K. R. F., Sintari, S. N. N., Wati, W. S., Sumaryani, N. P., & Lede, Y. U. (2023). Effect of Transformational Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Spiritual Leadership on Organizational Citizenship Behavior. Jurnal Organisasi Dan Manajemen, 19(1), 224–238. https://doi.org/10.33830/jom.v19i1.3695.2023
Sugiarti, W., & Khajar, I. (2025). The Role of Transformational Leadership And Work Culture In Improving Performance Through Human Resource Competencies As. Sultan Aung Management Journal, 2(3), 901–915.
Susanto, A. (2023). The Role of Green Human Resources Management (GHRM) on Job Satisfaction and Green Work Engagement (GWE): an Empirical Study on Manufacturing Industries. Journal of Economics, Finance and Management Studies, 06(03), 1123–1131. https://doi.org/10.47191/jefms/v6-i3-11
Susanto, A., Wijaya, E., Nasib, N., Fadila, Z., & Amelia, R. (2025). Digital burnout, work alienation, and turnover intention: Unveiling the mediating role of toxic leadership among Generation Y lecturers in leading universities in Medan. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(11), 106–120. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.11.011
Susanto, S., Kosasih, H., Julitawaty, W., Syaifullah, S., & Pebri, P. (2025). Organizational Trust and Readiness for Change: Its Impact on Employee Performance Through Job Crafting (Empirical Study at PT Saudara Buana Samudera Medan). Society, 13(1), 35–57. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v13i1.792
Syaifuddin, Ananda, F. R., Lubis, Y., & Nasib. (2022). Can Life Satisfaction Become an Important Role in Increasing Employee Performance ? A Case Study. Journal of System and Management Sciences, 12(6), 379–397. https://doi.org/10.33168/JSMS.2022.0623
Syaifuddin, Efendi, B., Novirsari, E., Lubis, Y., & Nasib. (2023). Organizational Justice and Corporate Social Responsibility on Employee Performance : The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction. Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science, 10(3), 151–165. https://doi.org/10.33168/JLISS.2023.0312
Syaifuddin, F., Rezeki, F., & Lubis, A. (2024). Drivers of Turnover Intentions and Vulnerability to Employee Poaching : A Study of Permanent Lecturers in Indonesian Private Universities. Journal of Logistics, Informatics and Service Science, 11(12), 90–115. https://doi.org/10.33168/JLISS.2024.1205
Syaifuddin, Lie, D., Lubis, F. R. A., Novirsari, E., & Nasib. (2024a). Model Efektif Menciptakan Kepuasan Karyawan Perusahaan BUMN. Penerbit KBM Indonesia.
Syaifuddin, Lie, D., Lubis, F. R. A., Novirsari, E., & Nasib. (2024b). The role of job satisfaction in mediating the relationship between family conflict, volunteer management, and employee performance at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara 3. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 11(12), 180–191. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2024.12.020
Szabó, A. C. D. N. J. P. B. P. K. (2023). Predicting the Relationship between Green Transformational Leadership, Green Human Resource Management Practices, and Employees’ Green Behavior. Administrative Sciences, 13(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci13010005
Tanady, D., Sanjaya, M., Novirsari, E., Harianto, A., Mahkota, U., & Unggul, T. (2024). Pengaruh Penghargaan Ekstrinsik , Penghargaan Intrinsik , Keterlibatan Kerja Terhadap Kesejahteraan Psikologis pada Institut Bisnis IT & B. JAMPARING: Jurnal Akuntansi Manajemen Pariwisata Dan Pembelajaran Konseling, 2(2), 668–675.
Tanady, D., Susanto, A., Theng, B. P., Afriani, D., & Harnjo, E. (2022). The relationship between work-life conflict and employee performance at CV Saudara Jaya Abadi Tama, Medan. Jurnal Cakrawala Ilmiah, 1(6), 1495–1506. http://bajangjournal.com/index.php/JCI
Wang, Q., & Shao, Z. (2024). Linking transformational leadership and digital creativity from the lens of social cognitive theory. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 124(6), 2312–2332. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-07-2023-0444
Wang, Y., Park, J., & Gao, Q. (2025). Digital leadership and employee innovative performance: the role of job crafting and person–job fit. Frontiers in Psychology, 16(April), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1492264
Webb, S. A. B. H. Y. H. F. H. H. S. F. (2022). Striking a Balance between Work and Play: The Effects of Work–Life Interference and Burnout on Faculty Turnover Intentions and Career Satisfaction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020809
Yandi, A., & Bimaruci Hazrati Havidz, H. (2022). Employee Performance Model: Work Engagement Through Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment (a Study of Human Resource Management Literature Study). Dinasti International Journal of Management Science, 3(3), 547–565. https://doi.org/10.31933/dijms.v3i3.1105
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Proceeding of the International Conference on Management, Entrepreneurship, and Business
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
