Digital Leadership and HR-Transformation at Telecommunications Enterprises in the Context of Digitalization

Abstract

The efficiency of telecommunication enterprises is largely conditional on the managers’ ability to adapt human-resource (HR) management to the digital environment, to implement innovative technologies in this field, and to enhance digital competencies of the staff. However, the transition from the classical staff management to the strategic management of talents using digital tools (HR transformation) in the telecommunication sector is hampered by several factors (poor digital corporate culture, resistance to change, shortage of skilled staff, etc.), which raises the importance of studies devoted to patterns of digital leadership and HR transformation at telecommunication enterprises in the digitalization context. The article highlights the features of digital leadership and HR transformation patterns in the telecommunications sector amidst rapid economic digitalization. The analysis covers advanced approaches to digital HR management, with identifying the key competencies of digital leaders, and the impact of digital technologies on HR management system in the telecommunication sector. The results of a comparison of Ukrainian telecommunication companies Kyivstar and Lifecell in terms of digital transformation, HR process automation, and the implementation of HR innovations are given. The main advantages and challenges in implementing digital leadership in HR management are outlined, with demonstrating the importance of digital corporate culture for enhancing the corporate performance in the telecommunication sector. A model for digital leadership for the telecommunication enterprise, reflecting the linkages between digital competencies, HR management technologies, and the innovative corporate culture, is proposed.