Identifying Critical Success Factors for Virtual Team Leadership in Digitally Transformed Organizations
Keywords:
Virtual leadership, digital transformation, team communication, psychological safetyAbstract
This study aimed to identify the critical success factors that enable effective virtual team leadership in digitally transformed organizational settings. A qualitative research design based on a phenomenological approach was employed to explore the lived experiences of individuals involved in virtual leadership. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 participants from various digitally transformed organizations in Tehran, including sectors such as technology, telecommunications, finance, and e-commerce. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, ensuring maximum variation across roles and experience levels. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Each interview lasted 60–90 minutes and was transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis facilitated by NVivo software, allowing for iterative coding and the identification of themes and subthemes related to virtual leadership effectiveness. Analysis revealed four primary themes encompassing 20 subthemes and over 100 open codes. These themes included: (1) Communication and Information Flow, with key factors such as clarity, tool integration, and responsiveness; (2) Trust and Psychological Safety, including reliability, relationship-building, and emotional support; (3) Leadership Adaptability, covering digital literacy, conflict resolution, and delegation; and (4) Team Cohesion and Motivation, with emphasis on shared purpose, inclusion, and recognition. Participant narratives indicated that leaders who demonstrated adaptive communication, relational consistency, and digital competence fostered higher engagement, trust, and team alignment. These results align with existing studies on digital leadership and extend them by offering context-specific insights from an underexplored organizational setting. Virtual leadership effectiveness is contingent on the integration of technological fluency and emotionally intelligent practices. Leaders who cultivate clarity, trust, adaptability, and shared purpose can significantly enhance virtual team cohesion and performance in digitally transformed organizations.
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