The effect of digital leadership on innovative work behavior and motivation to access digital technologies: A field study

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of perceptions of digital leadership on employees' innovative work behavior and their motivation to access digital technologies. Quantitative data analysis was adopted in the study. In this context, a survey was conducted with 218 employees from companies operating in the field of digital technology. The data obtained from the survey were analyzed using SPSS 26 software. According to the findings, digital leadership positively influences innovative work behavior. Accordingly, it can be stated that digital leaders, who optimize work processes by utilizing technology and data analysis, encourage employees to think innovatively and influence their innovative work behavior. Another regression analysis conducted to test the research hypotheses revealed that digital leadership positively impacts both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for accessing digital technologies. Based on this effect, it can be concluded that digital leadership creates a culture that facilitates access to technology, motivating individuals both through their intrinsic desires and external incentives. Lastly, the relationship between motivation to access digital technologies and innovative work behavior was tested. The analysis showed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for accessing digital technologies significantly influence innovative work behavior. It was found that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in accessing digital technologies enable employees to adapt more quickly to these technologies and acquire both competence and willingness to exhibit innovative work behaviors. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to conceptually address digital leadership, motivation for accessing digital technologies, and innovative work behavior. The analysis results support the conceptual literature, reinforcing the findings of the study.