Digital Leadership, Management Information Systems, and Higher Education Performance: The Mediating Role of Organizational Culture in Indonesian Private Universities

Authors

  • Yadi Maryadi Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Eddy Soeryanto Soegoto Universitas Komputer Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Isniar Budiarti Universitas Telkom, Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1229/tecempresarialjournal.v21i2.868

Keywords:

Digital Leadership, Management Information Systems, Organizational Culture, Higher Education Performance, Digital Transformation, Structural Equation Modeling.

Abstract

Digital transformation has increasingly reshaped the governance and operational systems of higher education institutions, encouraging universities to strengthen institutional adaptability through leadership capability, digital infrastructure, and supportive organizational environments. Despite extensive discussion regarding digital leadership and management information systems, limited empirical evidence explains how these factors collectively influence institutional performance, particularly through organizational culture within developing-country higher education contexts. This research explores the relationships among digital leadership, management information systems, organizational culture, and higher education performance in private universities under the coordination of LLDIKTI Region II, Indonesia. Data were obtained from 327 academic and managerial respondents representing 160 private universities and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with LISREL. The analysis demonstrates that management information systems contribute positively to institutional performance, whereas digital leadership does not produce a direct performance effect. However, digital leadership substantially strengthens organizational culture, which subsequently emerges as the most influential factor affecting higher education performance. The findings further reveal that organizational culture fully transmits the effect of digital leadership on institutional performance and partially channels the influence of management information systems. These results suggest that institutional performance improvement in higher education is shaped not only by technological capability and leadership practices but also by the ability of organizations to cultivate adaptive cultural environments that support digital transformation. This study offers empirical support for an integrated framework connecting leadership, information systems, and organizational culture within higher education management.

References

Abu-Shanab, E., & Al-Jamal, N. (2021). The influence of information systems on decision-making quality in higher education institutions. International Journal of Information Management, 57, 102–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102113

Aissioui, M. A., Benmoussa, R., & Lefdaoui, Y. (2021). ERP Post-Implementation: The Role of Organizational Culture. Information Systems Frontiers, 23(4), 993–1007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-020-10015-w

Al Ajmi, M. K. (2022). The impact of digital leadership on teachers’ technology integration during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. International Journal of Educational Research, 112(January), 101928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.101928

Ali, A., & Usman, A. (2020). Impact of organizational culture on employee performance: A study of private universities in Pakistan. Journal of Educational Administration, 58(5), 645-663.

Ali, M., Lei, S., & Wei, X. Y. (2021). The mediating role of organizational culture in the relationship between leadership and organizational performance. Journal of Business Research, 134, 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.05.011

Ali, M., Wang, W., & Johnson, R. E. (2020). Empirical analysis of the relationship between information system integration and organizational performance. Information & Management, 57(6), 103342.

Al-Okaily, M., Alqudah, H., Matar, A., & Lutfi, A. (2022). The determinants of digital transformation success in higher education: The role of information systems. Sustainability, 14(3), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031234

Al-Qatawneh, M., & Easa, N. F. (2020). The Impact of Leadership Styles on the Adoption of Management Information Systems: Evidence from Jordanian Universities. International Journal of Educational Management, 34(4), 812-825. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-07-2019-0254

Alshuhumi, S. R. A., Al-Hidabi, D. A. M. Y., & Akinbode, A. I. (2025). Examining the mediating role of innovative organizational culture between transformational leadership styles and organizational commitment. Frontiers in Education, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1646970

Avolio, B. J., Kahai, S. S., & Dodge, G. E. (2021). E-leadership: Re-examining transformations in leadership in the digital age. Leadership Quarterly, 32(1), 101–117.

Balqis, N., Hartati, S., & Rahmawati, D. (2023). Peran budaya organisasi dalam optimalisasi sistem informasi manajemen terhadap kinerja organisasi. Jurnal Sistem Informasi dan Bisnis, 12(2), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1234/jsib.v12i2.2023

Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108

Benavides, L. M. C., Tamayo Arias, J. A., Arango Serna, M. D., Branch Bedoya, J. W., & Burgos, D. (2020). Digital transformation in higher education institutions: A systematic literature review. Sensors, 20(11), 3291. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20113291

Bharadwaj, A., El Sawy, O. A., Pavlou, P. A., & Venkatraman, N. (2013). Digital business strategy: Toward a next generation of insights. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 471–482.

Bond, M., Marín, V. I., Dolch, C., Bedenlier, S., & Zawacki-Richter, O. (2020). Digital transformation in German higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17(1), 1–20.

Bostrom, R. P., & Heinen, J. S. (1977). MIS problems and failures: A socio-technical perspective. Part I: The causes. MIS Quarterly, 1(3), 17–32

Bryde, D. J. (2023). Digital Leadership and Its Impact on Organizational Performance. International Journal of Project Management, 41(5), 678-690.

Cameron, K. S., & Quinn, R. E. (2021). Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture: Based on the Competing Values Framework (4th ed.). Addison-Wesley.

Chandio, F. H., Ahmed, S., & Shaikh, A. (2020). The Role of Information Systems in Enhancing Organizational Performance in Higher Education Institutions. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 11(6), 548-554.

Chatterjee, S., Rana, N. P., Tamilmani, K., & Sharma, A. (2021). The role of digital leadership in building a digital culture and capability: A systematic review. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 29(7), 595–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2020.1812556

Chatterjee, S., Rana, N. P., Tamilmani, K., & Sharma, A. (2021). The role of digital leadership in building a digital culture and capability: A systematic review. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 29(7), 595–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2020.1812556

Chong, A. Y. L., Li, B., Ngai, E. W. T., Ch'ng, E., & Lee, F. (2023). The business value of IT investments on organizational performance: An integrative model. Information & Management, 60(2), 103679.

Cortellazzo, L., Bruni, E., & Zampieri, R. (2020). The role of leadership in a digitalized world: A review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1938.

DeLone, W. H., & McLean, E. R. (2003). The DeLone and McLean model of information systems success: A ten-year update. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(4), 9–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2003.11045748

Denison, D. R. (1990). Corporate culture and organizational effectiveness. New York: John Wiley & Sons

Duerr, S., Holotiuk, F., Beimborn, D., Wagner, H. T., & Weitzel, T. (2018). What is digital organizational culture? Insights from exploratory case studies. Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2018-Janua, 5126–5135. https://doi.org/10.24251/hicss.2018.640

Dwivedi, Y. K., Hughes, D. L., Coombs, C., Constantiou, I., Duan, Y., Edwards, J. S., Gupta, B., Lal, B., Misra, S., Prashant, P., Raman, R., Rana, N. P., Sharma, S. K., & Upadhyay, N. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on information management research and practice: Transforming ducation, work and life. International Journal of Information Management, 55, 102211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102211

El Sawy, O. A., Kræmmergaard, P., Amsinck, H., & Vinther, A. L. (2021). How LEGO built the foundations and enterprise capabilities for digital leadership. MIS Quarterly Executive, 20(2), 107–125

Gfrerer, A., Mocker, M., & Stelzl, K. (2023). How digital leadership drives cultural transformation: Evidence from digital-native and digital-migrant firms. Information Systems Journal, 33(1), 56–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12378

Gunawan, A., & Rahman, M. A. (2023). The Role of Digital Leadership in Higher Education Institutions: Impact on Organizational Culture and Performance. Journal of Educational Management, 11(3), 45-67.

Habib, M. N., Jamal, W., Khalil, U., & Khan, Z. (2021). Transforming universities in interactive digital platform: case of city university of science and information technology. Education and Information Technologies, 26(1), 517–541

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2022). Multivariate Data Analysis (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Hajjaj, M., Rahou, E. H., Mamdouh, N., El Assfouri, A., Kharmoum, N., Allammari, Y., & Boutafert, B. (2025). Digital leadership in higher education’s transformation. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603108.2025.2577935

Hasanli, L. (2021). the Impact of Digital Leadership on Innovativeness in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. International Journal of Social Humanities Sciences Research (JSHSR), 8(72), 1840–1859. https://doi.org/10.26450/jshsr.2581

Hidayat, F., Sumantri, S., Rumengan, A. E., Wibisono, C., & Khaddafi, M. (2023). The Effect of Digital Leadership, Information Technology and Digital Competency on Employee Performance in the Digital Era: Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction. International Journal of Advances in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 61–68. https://doi.org/10.56225/ijassh.v2i2.204

Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., Kiron, D., & Buckley, N. (2023). Digital Leadership: Rethinking Leadership for the Digital Age. MIT Sloan Management Review.

Kaur, Bagga, S., Gera, S., & Haque, S. N. (2023). The mediating role of organizational culture: Transformational leadership and change management in virtual teams. Asia Pacific Management Review, 28(2), 120–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2022.07.003

Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia. (2023). Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Nomor 53 Tahun 2023 tentang Penjaminan Mutu Pendidikan Tinggi.

Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi. (2021). Kebijakan Transformasi Digital Pendidikan Tinggi. Jakarta: Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Tinggi, Riset, dan Teknologi.

Khurniawan, A. W., Irmawaty, & Supriadi, D. (2024). The impact of digital leadership on digital transformation in university organizations: an analysis of students’ views. Perspektivy Nauki i Obrazovania, 67(1), 677–690. https://doi.org/10.32744/pse.2024.1.38

Kim, T., & Chang, J. (2019). Organizational culture and performance: A macro-level longitudinal study. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 40(1), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ 08 2018 0291

Klus, M. F., & Müller, J. (2021). The digital leader: what one needs to master today’s organisational challenges. Journal of Business Economics, 91(8), 1189–1223

Kraus, S., Durst, S., Ferreira, J. J., Veiga, P., Kailer, N., & Weinmann, A. (2022). Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo. International Journal of Information Management, 63, 102466.

Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2021). Management Information Systems: Managing the digital firm. Pearson

López-Figueroa, J. C., Ochoa-Jiménez, S., Palafox-Soto, M. O., & Hernandez Munoz, D. S. (2025). Digital leadership: A systematic literature review. Administrative Sciences, 15(4), 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15040129

Nugroho, Y. A., Widodo, A., Pebrina, E. T., Iskandar, J., & Nadeak, M. (2025). Digitalization in higher education: How information systems improve operational and strategic performance. Indonesian Journal of Management and Economic Research.

O’Reilly, C. A., Chatman, J. A., & Doerr, B. (2020). Organizational culture and performance. Academy of Management Journal, 63(3), 1–24.

Philip, J., & Edwin, P. (2021). Transformational leadership and organizational performance: The mediating role of organizational culture. Leadership in Health Services, 34(3), 321–338.

Puliwarna, T., Djati, S. P., & Tanti P., E. (2023). The effect of digital leadership, organizational culture, digital competence and organization's commitment on organizational performance: Information technology system in Indonesian Navy. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management (IJSRM), 11(04), EM-2023-4833–4846. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v11i04.em06

Ramadania, R., Hartijasti, Y., Purmono, B. B., Haris, D. M. N., & Afifi, M. Z. (2024). A systematic review on digital transformation and organizational performance in higher education. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 19(4), 1239–1252. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.190402

Ratajczak, S. (2022). Digital leadership at universities – a systematic literature review. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia, 10(4), 133–150.

https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL10_NO4_7

Ribeiro, V. H. A., Gomes, C. F. S., & Kneipp, J. M. (2021). Organizational performance in higher education institutions: The role of innovation and digitalization. Education and Information Technologies, 26, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10512-3

Schallmo, D. R. A., & Williams, C. A. (2020). Digital Leadership: Leading in the Age of Digital Transformation. Springer.

Schein, E. H., & Schein, P. (2021). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Wiley.

Stair, R. M., & Reynolds, G. W. (2022). Principles of Information Systems. Cengage Learning.

Susanto, R., & Asmarani, E. (2023). Budaya Organisasi dan Kinerja Perguruan Tinggi: Studi Kasus di Indonesia. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 14(1), 75-89

Van Chien, L., Duc Thang, N., Kien Trung, P., & Thihoainga, N. (2023). The Impact of Digital Leadership on Organizational Performance: A Study in Vietnam’s coal Mining Companies. Inzynieria Mineralna, 2, 121–130. https://doi.org/10.29227/IM-2023-02-20

Veiga, P., Kraus, S., & Ferreira, J. J. (2023). Digital transformation and organizational culture in higher education institutions. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 188, 122–280.

Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889-901

Vial, G., 2021, Understanding Digital Transformation, Managing Digital Transformation, 13–66. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003008637-4

Zhu, W., & Chen, Z. (2022). The relationship between organizational culture and employee performance: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 30(2), 387-407.

Downloads

Published

2026-07-12

How to Cite

Maryadi, Y., Soegoto, E. S., & Budiarti, I. (2026). Digital Leadership, Management Information Systems, and Higher Education Performance: The Mediating Role of Organizational Culture in Indonesian Private Universities. TEC EMPRESARIAL, 21(2), 265–281. https://doi.org/10.1229/tecempresarialjournal.v21i2.868