Digital Leadership Guide for Executives in Swiss SMEs

Abstract

The research topic of this master’s thesis is digital leadership. The purpose of this research was to study the success factors that enable and enhance successful digital leadership in Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises. Companies find themselves in a new, increasingly digitized world where leaders face various challenges. The environment is perceived as volatile because of the nature and dynamics of change, and there is a lack of predictability and resulting uncertainty. At the same time, the interdependence of multiple elements provides increased complexity and unclear cause-and-effect chains. For executives, reality is confusing, often incomprehensible, and no longer predictable in any way. To meet the demands of a future digital leader and master the challenges in the agile, dynamic, and ever-changing world of work, managers need helpful guidelines and clear digital strategies.