Effect of E-leadership on employees’ outcomes in the higher education sector during COVID-19 and beyond: A case study from Vietnam

Abstract

E-leadership, a form of leadership facilitated by advanced information technology, has gained prominence over the past decade, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it extends traditional leadership to support remote work environments. This study investigated the impact of e-leadership on employees in the higher education sector, explicitly exploring its effects on work engagement, well-being and organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB). Data for this study were collected through an online survey administered to 445 employees working from home during the pandemic in the higher education sector in Vietnam. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling to test the study's hypotheses. The results suggested that perceived e-leadership significantly influenced employees’ work engagement, well-being and OCB. This study’s findings hold important implications for effectively managing a diverse workforce, emphasising the importance of appropriate leadership styles in the ever-evolving landscape of remote work. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where remote work has become the norm, this research sheds light on the crucial role of e-leadership in shaping employee outcomes. It provides both practical and theoretical insights that can guide leaders in optimising their approaches to leadership within the context of advanced information technology-mediated work environments. These findings represent a valuable contribution to understanding the evolving dynamics of leadership in the digital age and its impact on employee well-being and performance.