Digital Leadership in Latin America: Key Competencies forManagers

Abstract

This study examines key digital leadership competencies in the Latin American context, aiming to identify priority skills for managers leading technological transformation processes in both public and private organizations. The investigation was conducted using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, a systematic review of scientific literature indexed in databases such as Scopus and Web of Science was conducted to define a solid conceptual framework. In the second phase, a structured survey was administered to 126 managers from five Latin American countries, complemented by semi-structured interviews with organizational experts. The results showed that interpersonal competencies were the most valued by participants, followed by digital techniques and strategic competencies. Adaptive and ethical competencies received lower relative weighting, which poses challenges in terms of sustainability and digital governance. Factor analysis and the AHP method enabled the identification of distinct digital leadership profiles and a ranking of competition dimensions based on their perceived impact. The study’s conclusions highlight ed the need to strengthen comprehensive training programs that encompass both soft and technical skills, as well as ethical skills, and to create institutional conditions that facilitate the effective development of digital leadership. Recommendations were proposed for universities, human talent managers, and decision-makers in the public sector.