Introduction: Digital transformation has had a significant impact on the way businesses operate and interact with their clients. The advent of digital technologies has brought about unprecedented changes in customer behavior, necessitating continuous adaptation and transformation to maintain competitiveness. Effective leadership is crucial in selecting appropriate technologies based on the business model and making timely decisions. However, it is important to recognize that leadership is influenced by cultural and situational contingencies, and neglecting these factors can result in an incomplete understanding of leadership and its effectiveness. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether digital leadership capabilities vary across cultures and, if so, how specific cultures might influence these capabilities. By examining the impact of culture on digital leadership, this study aims to contribute valuable insights to the existing literature on digital transformation and leadership. Methodology: The research is qualitative & has a mixed approach (deductive & Inductive) & employs a relativism ontology & social constructionism epistemology. It is an explorative multi-case study, focusing on leaders in Sweden and India to investigate digital leadership capabilities for digital transformation in different cultural contexts. The data is purposively collected through semi-structured interviews & analyzed using thematic analysis technique. Analysis: The analysis of digital leadership capabilities in Sweden and India revealed that both countries recognize the importance of digital transformation for maintaining business competitiveness. While there are similarities in the findings, Indian leaders prioritize cost savings, safety, and quality of life improvements, whereas Swedish leaders emphasize agility, operational efficiency, and continuous learning. However, both cases underscore the necessity of having a clear vision and strategy, competent individuals, and effective communication to achieve successful digital transformation. Furthermore, employee engagement and empowerment, along with training and development opportunities, play critical roles in driving digital transformation. Discussion: Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that digital leadership capabilities are generally agreed upon across different cultures, with culture not being a prominent factor influencing the process. Digital transformation is a global trend that has emerged in response to the evolving technological landscape, and the capabilities required for digital leadership are generally consistent across cultures. Therefore, digital leaders in both Sweden and India need to possess the same essential digital leadership capabilities, albeit with potentially different approaches in accomplishing goals. The overarching capabilities of vision clarity and communication, digital strategy, employee engagement, digital governance, and digital literacy remain important in both contexts. The findings of this study has practical implications for organizations seeking to implement successful digital transformation initiatives. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provides practical implications for organizations and leaders managing digital transformation within diverse cultural contexts & also for academic researchers. It highlights the importance of developing effective digital transformation strategies tailored to specific cultural contexts, thus increasing the likelihood of achieving successful digital transformation outcomes.

Academics and lay persons alike freely acknowledge that principals exert enormous influence over the creation, maintenance and enhancement of the learning environment in schools. They recognise that a turbulent educational world presents principals with multiple challenges in sustaining the conditions necessary for student achievement, and that some principals are more successful in this endeavour than others. This small-scale qualitative study uses a semi-structured interview process to gather data from five Chairpersons of Boards of Trustees who have appointed a principal within the preceding twelve months. The study discusses the professional capabilities that theoretical and empirical research suggests distinguish highly effective principals from capable performers. It adopts a bipartite approach to the literature, examining both academic understandings and the degree to which available official publications inform the thinking of Boards of Trustees prior to embarking on the principal appointment process. The study then explores the extent to which these understandings influence the decision-making of five Boards of Trustees in appointing a new principal. Research findings reveal a dichotomy between the theory underpinning concepts of highly effective principals and the practice of Boards of Trustees in appointing a principal. Largely unaware of the academic literature and inadequately informed by official publications, Boards of Trustees adopt a problematic generic recruitment and selection process. Uncritical acceptance of the professional knowledge and standing of external consultants and misplaced trust in the advice they proffer leads Boards to proceed on a questionable perceptual basis. Secure in the knowledge that they have obtained the educational expertise they freely acknowledge they lack, Boards are further exposed to prevailing market discourses and internal prejudices which undermine their ability to identify and appoint a principal who possesses the capabilities necessary to exercise highly effective, contextually specific leadership. This study suggests that the autonomy of Boards of Trustees in their role as employer be sustained but supported through the mandatory appointment of an appropriately qualified advisor and that the involvement of existing advisors be further scrutinized.

Digitaliseringen erbjuder utmaningar och möjligheter för såväl små som stora företag och driver inom partihandeln effektivisering, stordriftsfördelar och automatisering vilket bedöms leda till fortsatt konsolidering med färre och större företag. Forskning visar att förutsättningarna att hantera utmaningar och möjligheter ser olika ut beroende på olika faktorer som företagsstorlek, ålder, bransch och resurser. Det kan leda till digitala klyftor mellan dem som tar vara på möjligheterna och de som inte gör det. Utvecklingen behöver nödvändigtvis inte betyda att det är de moderna sektorer som förändras mest. Forskning visar på en utmanande situation när småföretag med begränsade resurser skall driva digitalisering till en högre nivå av digital mognad. Med bättre kunskap om hur förutsättningar ser ut kan ny viktig förståelse bidra till att förbättra möjligheten att hantera utmaningarna och ta vara på möjligheterna. För att undersöka detta har en kvalitativ studie genomförts på sex småteknikhandelsbolag i den mogna industrin. Vald teori bygger på Westerman, et al., (2014) digitala mognadsmodell med utgångspunkt i digital förmåga och ledarskapsförmåga.Forskningsresultatet som vald teori grundar sig på är baserad på den mogna industrin, vilket gör den relevant för uppsatsens problemformulering och forskarfråga. Studien i uppsatsen visarpå kundorienterade små teknikhandelsbolag med olika verksamheter som befinner sig i en liknande situation utifrån digitaliseringen. Företagen visar en medvetenhet om sina digitala brister och en ambition att utvecklas, men med en försiktighet och osäkerhet i genomförandet. Det kan kopplas samman med brist på främst relevant digital förståelse. Ambitionen leder till olika digitala insatser inom olika område, men en övergripande digital helhetssyn saknas. Samtidigt uttrycker företagen ingen noterbar oro för situationen, vilket ger en något motsägelsefull bild. Studien visar på ett samstämmigt resultat vilket stämmer överens med tidigare forskning, och kan indikera att tusentals andra småföretag befinner sig i samma båt. Teorin är relevant, men för att de studerade företagen skall kunna omsätta teorin praktiskt på ett sätt som leder dem framåt behöver de nå en högre digital mognad. Därför matchar det valda teoretiska perspektivet inte företagens behov i nuläget. Den enskilt största utmaningen är relaterad till brist på digital kompetens för att strategiskt driva digital omställning. Med en traditionell och relativt digitalt omogen kundsektor blir omvandlingstrycket lågt med för- och nackdelar. Företag inom teknikhandel skapar ett mervärde genom specialistkunnande, lokal marknadskännedom, kvalificerad teknisk rådgivning, lagertillgänglighet och hög service. Det är livsviktigt att fortsätta utveckla detta mervärde för ökad konkurrenskraft mot ökad digital transparens av prisjämförelser och mot resursstarka globala och digitala e-handelsplattformar. Genom att lyfta blicken över den vardagliga situationen bör företagen mer proaktivt fokusera på extern kundnytta och intern effektivitet. Med ökad förståelse om kunders digitala behov, kan företagen kraftsamla inom område med störst behov, vilket kan attrahera nya kunder med högredigital mognad som skapar incitament till att driva den digitala omställningen framåt. För Sveriges tusentals industriföretag är potentialen i dessa frågor stor och avgörande på sikt. / Digitalization offers challenges and opportunities for both small and large companies and drives efficiency, economies of scale and automation within the technical trade sector, which isexpected to lead to continued consolidation with fewer and larger companies. Research shows that the conditions for managing these challenges and opportunities are different depending on different factors such as company size, age, industry, and resources. This can lead to a situation where digitalization divides between those who seize the opportunities and those who don´t. The development does not necessarily mean that it is the modern sectors that are changing the most.Research shows a challenging situation, when small businesses with limited resources want to drive digital transformation to a higher level of digital maturity. With better knowledge of what the conditions look like, important understanding can improve the ability to manage the challenges and seize the opportunities. Therefore, a qualitative study has been carried out on six small technical trading companies in the mature industry. The chosen theoretical framework is based on Westerman, et al., (2014) digital maturity model with two dimensions, digital capabilities, and leadership capabilities. The research results on which the chosen theory is based is the mature industry, which makes the chosen theory relevant to the thesis's problem formulation and research question. The study shows customer oriented small technical trading companies with different businesses that are in a similar situation due to digitalization. Companies show an awareness of their digital shortcomings and an ambition to develop, but with caution and uncertainty in their implementation. This can be linked to a lack of mainly relevant digital understanding. The ambition leads to different digital efforts in different areas, but an overall digital holistic approach is lacking. At the same time, companies do not express any notable concern about the situation, which paints a somewhat contradictory picture. The study shows a consistent result, also with previous research, and may indicate that many thousands of similar small businesses are in the same boat. The theory is relevant, but for the companies studied to be able to put the theory into practice in a way that leads them forward, they need to reach a higher digital maturity. Therefore, the chosen theoretical perspective does not match the needs of the companies at present. The single largest challenge is related to a lack of digital skills to strategically drive digital transformation. With a traditional and relatively digitally immature customer sector, the conversion pressuresare low resulting in both advantages and disadvantages. Technical trading companies create added value through a specialist know-how, local market knowledge, qualified technical consultations, product availability and high service. It is vital to continue to develop this added value for increased competitiveness towards increased digital transparency of price comparisons and towards resource-rich global and digital e-commerce platforms. By looking above, the daily business, the companies should focus more proactively on external customer benefit and internal efficiency. With an increased understanding of customers' digital needs, companies can gather strength in areas with the greatest need, which can attract new customers with higher digital maturity who creates incentives to drive the digital transition forward.

Over the past few years, there has been a surge in literature regarding the digital transformation. Its popularity derives from the tremendous potential it has proven in production companies, in previous studies. This has increased its attention among actors within the industrial business area. Despite this overwhelming popularity, the literature does not address the research area in relation to the slow-moving pulp and paper industry. At the same time, incumbent companies within the industry have proven to be incapable of adopting the digital transformation in the rapid pace of today’s volatile environment. This research therefore intends to investigate the crucial factors an incumbent company within the pulp and paper industry needs to adopt to achieve a higher absorption of novel digital trends.  In order to investigate the subject, a qualitative case study was applied to a company within the category. The material was retrieved through semi-structured interviews with relevant actors within the case company and analyzed through thematic analysis. This revealed nine clearly outlined themes of insufficient corporate infrastructure that emphasizes essential organizational capabilities. These findings suggest that there are a number of capabilities that leaders and decision-makers need to adopt in order for the organization to conduct a more efficient and sustainable approach of digital transformation. This research therefore proposes a framework with outlined leadership capabilities to consider in transformation initiatives, within the pulp and paper industry. The framework will help leaders in shaping the process of implementing and maintaining digital transformation. These capabilities stimulate the support activities, which are the surrounding procedures and activities that support the organization in transformation initiatives, and are imperative for an organization to possess within the given context. By reducing the ambiguity and resistance to change the framework will help leaders in improving the decision making of transformation initiatives. The ultimate goal is to establish a unified organizational vision, based on digital transformation, to strengthen the overall long-term sustainability. / Tidigare studier påvisar att digital transformation blivit ett allt vanligare forskningsområde. Detta på grund av de positiva effekter transformationen medfört inom ett flertal produktionsföretag. Konceptet har ökat uppmärksamheten inom industrisektorn, där det nu blivit allt vanligare att anamma digital transformation. Trots denna trend uppvisar befintlig litteratur en avsaknad av studier inom forskningsområdet, i relation till den långsamt rörliga kartong- och massaindustrin. Samtidigt påvisar etablerade företag inom industrin en brist på förmågan att anpassa sig till den digitala transformationen. Denna forskningsstudie syftar därför till att undersöka vilka faktorer som kan vara avgörande för ett företag inom kartong- och massaindustrin att anamma i strävan att uppnå en högre absorption av nya digitala trender. För att undersöka ämnet genomfördes en kvalitativ fallstudie hos ett företag inom kartong- och massaindustrin. Materialet erhölls via semistrukturerade intervjuer med relevanta aktörer inom fallföretaget och analyserades med hjälp av tematisk analys, vilket visade på nio tydliga teman i form av bristande infrastruktur. Detta resultat tyder på att ledare och beslutsfattare behöver besitta ett visst antal kvalifikationer för att organisationen ska kunna uppnå en mer effektiv och hållbar digital transformation. Denna studie har därför upprättat ett tydligt ramverk med definierade kvalifikationer som ledare bör eftersträva vid digital transformation inom kartong- och massaindustrin. Ramverket är avsett att användas som stöd för ledare vid implementering och upprätthållande av transformativa initiativ. Genom att stimulera viktiga stödfunktioner med hjälp av dessa kvalifikationer kan den organisatoriska tvetydigheten och acceptansen för sådana initiativ öka. Det ultimata målet är att etablera en enhetlig organisatorisk vision, baserat på digital transformation, för att stärka den övergripande långsiktiga hållbarheten.

The use of computer games has grown exponentially in the past few years and StarCraft II is one of the most popular e-sports today, played by millions of people worldwide. This study investigates the game’s effect on skills, as perceived by the players of StarCraft II. The study was conducted by using an empirical survey and interviews. The skills being investigated were both physical and mental in their nature. The conclusion was that the majority of players perceived that their skills regarding reaction speed, multitasking, APM, analysis and strategy were increased the most, while there was a smaller change in social skills and language skills. Additionally, people who played team games of StarCraft II did, however, feel that their teamwork, conflict management and leadership capabilities increased. / Under de senaste åren har användandet av datorspel vuxit explosionsartat. StarCraft II är ett utav dagens mest populära e-sporter och spelas av miljontals människor runt om i världen. Studien undersöker om spelare uppfattar kompetensförändringar av att spela StarCraft II. Studien utfördes med hjälp utav en enkät och intervjuer. Kompetenserna vi undersökte var av både fysiska och mentala i sin karaktär. Av resultaten kan man se att majoriteten av spelarna uppfattade en ökad kompetens inom reaktionshastighet, multitasking, APM, analytisk- och strategisk förmåga, medan man ser en mindre förändring inom social kompetens och språklig kompetens. Resultaten visar även att de som valde att spela lagspel uppfattade en ökad kompetens inom samarbete, konflikthantering och ledarskap.

Text in English with keywords and abstracts in English, Afrikaans and Zulu / Over the past few years, the world in general has been influenced by several rapid changes and disruptions including climate change, globalisation, economic developments, the fourth industrial revolution, technological advancements, social changes, political changes and most recently the Covid-19 pandemic. The above changes have also influenced South Africa Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in South Africa. In particular, over the past two to three years, South African HEIs have been increasingly faced with the drive for transformation in higher education (including the decolonisation of the curriculum), reduced government subsidies, increased competition, rising costs, increased enrolments, declining resources the announcement of free higher education, increased politicisation of higher education and the increased need to use information technology in teaching and research. As a result, the aforementioned rapid changes and disruption require that leaders in South African HEIs possess the capabilities that will enable them to successfully lead their organisations during such times. While leadership has been researched within South African HEIs none was found that focussed on identifying and describing the capabilities needed to lead successfully in South African HEIs during rapid change and disruption. The aim of this research was to determine a leadership capabilities model required to lead successfully during rapid change and disruption within South African HEIs. This research successfully identified and described the capabilities and competencies needed to lead South African HEIs successfully during rapid change and disruption in general as well as for each leadership level. Finally, this research formulated a theory and model that explains the relationship between rapid change and disruption, the possession and application of the capabilities required to lead successfully in South African HEIs during rapid change and disruption and actually dealing successfully with the rapid change and disruption. / Oor die afgelope paar jare was die wêreld deur verskillende vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings beïnvloed insluitended limaatverandering, globaliseering, ekonomiese ontwikkelinge asook die vierde industriële rewolusie, tegnolosiese vooruitgange, sosiale veranderinge, politiese veranderinge, en mees onlangs, die Covid-19 pandemie. Die bogenoemde veranderinge het ook die Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys beïnvloed. In die besonder, oor die afgelope twee tot drie jaar, is Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys Instansies toenemend gekonfronteer deur ‘n strewe na transformasie (insluitended dekolonisering van die kirrikulum), vermindende staatsubsidies, toenemende kompetisie, toenemende kostes, toenemende inskrywings, vermindende hulpbronne, die aankondiging van gratis hoër onderwys, toenemende politisering van hoër onderwys en die toenemende behoefte om inligtingstegnologie te gebruik in onderwys en navorsing. As ‘n gevolg van bogenoemde vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings, word dit van leiers in die Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys vereis om vermöens te besit wat hulle in staat stel om hulle organisasies suksesvol te kan lei gedurende sulke tye. Alhoewel navorsing oor leierskap binne Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys Instansies voorheen gedoen is, kon geen navorsing gevind word wat alleenlik fokus op die identifisering en beskrywing van die eienskappe wat nodig is om Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys Instansies suksesvol te kan lei gedurende tye van vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigting. Die mikpunt van hierdie navorsing was om vas te stel watter leierskap eienskappe nodig is om Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys Instansies suksesvol te kan lei, gedurende tye van vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings. Hierdie navorsing het daarin geslaag om die eienskappe en vaardighede wat leiers benodig om Suid-Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys Instansies suksesvol te lei gedurende tye van vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings te bepaal, asook wat vir elke leierskapvlak benodig word. Hierdie navorsing het ook ‘n teorie en model geformuleer wat die verhouding tussen vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings, die besit en toepassing van die eienskappe om Suid Afrikaanse Hoër Onderwys Instansies suksesvol te kan lei gedurende tye van vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings en uiteindelik suksevolle leierskap gedurende vinnige veranderinge en ontwrigtings, te beskryf. / Eminyakeni embalwa edlule umhlaba jikelele ubhekane nezinguquko nokuphazamiseka okuningi okuhlanganisa ukuquka kwesimo sezulu, ukuxhumana kwamazwe omhlaba, ukuthuthuka kwezomnotho, uguquko kwezezimboni kwesine (fourth industrial revolution), ukuthuthuka kwezobuchwepheshe, izinguquko kwezenhlalo, izinguquko kwezombusazwe nokwakamuva nje, ubhubhane i-Covid-19. Lezi zinguquko ezingenhla zibe nomthelela naseziKhungweni zeMfundo ePhakeme zaseNingizimu Afrika (HEIs). Ikakhulukazi, eminyakeni emibili kuya kwemithathu edlule, iziKhungo zeMfundo ePhakeme zaseNingizimu Afrika zibhekana ngokwengezekile nomkhankaso wezoguquko kwezemfundo ephakeme (okuhlanganisa nokuhlelwa kabusha kwezinhlelozifundo), ukuncipha kwemalisibonelelo kahulumeni, ukukhula kokuqhudelana, ukukhula kwezindleko, ukukhula kwesibalo sababhalisile, ukuncipha kwezinsiza, ukumenyezelwa kwemfundo ephakeme yamahhala, ukudlondlobala kwezombusazwe ezikhungweni zemfundo ephakeme nokukhula kokusetshenziswa kobuchwepheshe kwezokufundisa nocwaningo. Okungumphumela walokhu, ukudingeka kwabaholi bezikhungo zemfundo ephakeme eNingizimu Afrika abanamakhono azobalekelela ekuholeni ngempumelelo izinhlangano zabo kulezi zikhathi. Yize noma ubuholi bucwaningiwe ezikhungweni zemfundo ephakeme eNingizimu Afrika akukho okutholakele obekugxile ekuhlonzeni nasekuchazeni ngokuyizidingo zokuhola ngempumelelo lezi zikhungo ngalesi sikhathi sezinguquko nokuphazamiseka okwenzeka ngesivinini. Lolu cwaningo luhlonze futhi lwachaza ngamakhono namava adingekayo ukuze kuholwe ngempumelelo iziKhungo ZeMfundo ePhakeme zaseNingizimu Afrika ngesikhathi sezinguquko nokuphazamiseka okwenzeka ngesivinini kanye nokuyizidingo zezinga ngalinye lobuholi. Okokugcina, lolu cwaningo lwakhe injulalwazi nohlaka oluchaza ngobudlelwano phakathi kwezinguquko nokuphazamiseka okwenzeka ngesivinini, ukuba namava adingekayo nokuwasebenzisa ngempumelelo ekuholeni iziKhungo zeMfundo ePhakeme zaseNingizimu Afrika ngesikhathi salezi zinguquko nokuphazamiseka kanye nokubhekana nakho ngempumelelo. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Phil. (Consulting Psychology)