Linking digital leadership and entrepreneurial success for development of women-owned businesses in rural Malaysia: entrepreneurial resilience as a mediator

Siti Fahazarina Hazudin, Nurul Izzati Ahmad Hisni, Mohd Aidil Riduan Awang Kader, Mohamad Fazli Sabri and Nurul Nadia Abd Aziz

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2025, vol. 19, issue 6, 1680-1704

Abstract: PurposeThis study aims to delve into the interplay of digital leadership, entrepreneurial success and the role of entrepreneurial resilience as a mediator, focusing on rural women entrepreneurs in the Pahang Region, a state located in the East Coast Region of Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA survey-based approach with cross-sectional data was used, targeting women entrepreneurs across various industries in the rural East Coast Region, Malaysia. Three regional areas in Pahang were selected as study locations to generalise the findings of the study. Both online and self-administered questionnaires were used as a mode of data collection based on cluster sampling techniques. Using the final 209 data, structural equation modelling using AMOS software was used to test the structural hypotheses in the study.FindingsThis research affirms the positive influence of digital leadership on entrepreneurial success among rural women entrepreneurs, aligning with literature emphasising digital reforms in enhancing entrepreneurial outcomes. Digital leadership and entrepreneurial resilience were recognised as positively linked, suggesting that resourcefulness and the capacity to adapt can be fostered through digitalisation strategies. Furthermore, digital leadership and success in business were revealed to have a connection that was mediated by entrepreneurial resilience, demonstrating how the latter was crucial in the translation of a digital strategy into successful results.Research limitations/implicationsThis research contributes to the application of the transformational leadership theory in the digital domain, conceptualising digital leadership as a transformational driver that facilitates the development of rural women’s entrepreneurial resilience and subsequently fuels sustainable entrepreneurial success. In practical terms, this study presents insights into targeted policy intervention that focuses on a resilience-building approach in conducting digital leadership training.Practical implicationsThe outcomes indicate the need to address gender-specific obstacles, empower rural women’s entrepreneurship and leverage digital leadership to ensure the inclusivity of rural Malaysia’s economic advancement. These revelations could be used in policymaking to create measures that support and foster environments amenable to female entrepreneurs and improved economic contributions.Originality/valueIn light of more challenging business and rapid digital advancement, the role of leaders is expected to be the central focus of this research in entrepreneurial development studies. Specifically, this paper offers the most current insights on the critical role of individual psychological strength in entrepreneurial resilience as a promising pathway linking digital leadership capability and women entrepreneurs’ success in rural communities. It therefore contributes to addressing the lack of knowledge pertinent to rural women’s entrepreneurship development for sustainability outcomes.

Keywords: Digital transformation; Resilience; Entrepreneurship; Women entrepreneurs; Rural (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:jecpps:jec-05-2024-0080

DOI: 10.1108/JEC-05-2024-0080

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