@article{jabarullah2026digital,
  title = {Digital Leadership and Adaptive Performance in the Malaysian Public Sector: The Mediating Role of Data-Driven Decision-Making},
  author = {Mohd Shahfie JABARULLAH and Mohd Fairuz Abd RAHIM and Jeen Wei ONG},
  year = 2026,
  url = {https://ibimapublishing.com/articles/IBIMABR/2026/845807/},
  journal = {IBIMA Business Review},
  volume = 2026,
  pages = 17,
  doi = 10.5171/2026.845807,
  abstract = {A significant transformation has been occurring within the public sector as a result of the VUCA environment. It poses challenges for civil servants to adapt to such an event in a rapidly evolving environment. To deal with it, civil servants will need adaptive performance. Prior research on adaptive performance has shown that it is important in the private sector, but there is insufficient evidence in the public sector. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of digital leadership, data-driven decision-making, and adaptive performance in the public sector using the contingency theory as a guide. Applying the quantitative approach, a survey was carried out to collect data from 105 administrative and diplomatic officers in three ministries in Putrajaya, Malaysia. This study supports our hypothesis that digital leadership is a good predictor of adaptive performance and that data-driven decision-making mediates the relationship between digital leadership and adaptive performance. These results enrich both theoretical and practical understanding by applying contingency theory to the public sector context. It proposes the development of a novel model to improve adaptive performance in the public sector, recommending new leadership development training and strategies for organizations to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in a challenging environment, while also offering an improved delivery system to meet public demands.},
  keywords = {adaptive performance, digital leadership, data-driven decision-making, public sector},
  note = Article ID: 845807
}