Designing a Model of Digital Intelligence for Educational Managers
Keywords:
Digital Intelligence, Digital Leadership, Educational Management, Digital Transformation, Structural Equation ModelingAbstract
The aim of this study was to design and validate a conceptual model of digital intelligence among educational managers using a sequential exploratory mixed-method approach. This applied study utilized a sequential exploratory mixed-method design. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis was conducted through a systematic review of scientific literature to identify the components of digital intelligence. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed based on qualitative findings and administered to 315 educational managers in Isfahan, selected through stratified random sampling. Content and construct validity were assessed, and reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good model fit (CFI>0.90, TLI>0.90, RMSEA<0.10). All factor loadings were statistically significant and above acceptable thresholds (p<0.05). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeded 0.70 for all dimensions and reached 0.90 for the overall instrument, confirming strong reliability. Structural analysis revealed that digital skills, digital leadership, digital ethics, and digital educational management significantly contributed to explaining the digital intelligence construct. The findings demonstrate that digital intelligence is a multidimensional and measurable construct that can serve as a robust framework for enhancing educational management quality in the digital era.
Downloads
References
Ahmadi, M., Ardalan, M. R., Ghanbari, S., & Afzali, A. (2023). The Role of Digital Leadership in Intelligent Decision-Making with the Mediation of Teamwork. Research in Educational Systems, 17(60), 18-32. https://www.jiera.ir/article_178539.html?lang=en
AlAjmi, M. K. (2022). The Impact of Digital Leadership on Teachers' Technology Integration During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kuwait. International Journal of Educational Research, 112, 101928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2022.101928
Antonopoulou, H., Matzavinou, P., Γιαννούκου, Ι., & Halkiopoulos, C. (2024). Digital Leadership in School Environment: A Cross-Sectional Behavioral Analysis in Primary Education. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202412.0372.v1
Antonopoulou, H., Matzavinou, P., Γιαννούκου, Ι., & Halkiopoulos, C. (2025). Teachers’ Digital Leadership and Competencies in Primary Education: A Cross-Sectional Behavioral Study. Education Sciences, 15(2), 215. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15020215
Anwar, S., & Saraih, U. N. (2024). Digital Leadership in the Digital Era of Education: Enhancing Knowledge Sharing and Emotional Intelligence. International Journal of Educational Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-11-2023-0540
Asad, S. (2023). The Mediating Role of Transformational Leadership in the Relationship Between Digital Transformation and Employee Engagement From the Point of View of Public Sector Employees in Palestine. International Journal of Humanities and Educational Research, 05(05), 166-198. https://doi.org/10.47832/2757-5403.22.10
Aziz, M., Doostar, M., Akbari, M., & Yakideh, K. (2024). A conceptual framework for digital transformation based on electronic leadership in higher education (a study in the Kurdistan region of Iraq). Human Resource Studies, 14(3), 88-117. https://doi.org/10.22034/jhrs.2024.210046
Baglama, B., Evcimen, E., Altinay, F., Sharma, R. C., Tlili, A., Altinay, Z., & Celebi, M. (2022). Analysis of Digital Leadership in School Management and Accessibility of Animation-Designed Game-Based Learning for Sustainability of Education for Children with Special Needs. Sustainability, 14(13), 7730. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137730
Baharuddin, B. (2024). Strategic Leadership in Education: Navigating Change in Digital Learning Environments. International Journal of Educational Narratives, 2(6), 494-504. https://doi.org/10.70177/ijen.v2i6.1744
Baydar, F. (2022). The Role of Educational Leaders in the Development of Students' Technology Use and Digital Citizenship. Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 32-46. https://doi.org/10.52380/mojet.2022.10.1.367
Carvalho, A., Alves, H., & Leitão, J. (2022). What Research Tells Us About Leadership Styles, Digital Transformation and Performance in State Higher Education? International Journal of Educational Management, 36(2), 218-232. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-11-2020-0514
Ghavifekr, S., & Wong, S. Y. (2022). Technology leadership in Malaysian schools: The way forward to education 4.0-ICT utilization and digital transformation. International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM), 13(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJABIM.20220701.oa3
Haris, A., & Nuraeni, N. (2025). Adaptive Leadership in the Era of Disruption: Integrating Digital Transformation, Organizational Culture, and Teacher Performance (A Case Study of Muhammadiyah High Schools in Cianjur Regency). Dinasti International Journal of Education Management and Social Science, 6(2), 1649-1661. https://doi.org/10.38035/dijemss.v6i2.3961
Jafarpour Marzouni, Z., Khorsandi Taskoh, A., & Abdollahinejad, A. (2022). The skills and effective factors on improvement of university educational departments performance in the network community. Quarterly Journal of Research and Planning in Higher Education, 28(3), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.52547/irphe.28.3.1
Jalali, P., Salimi, M., Irannejad, P., & Ninavaei, M. (2023). Identifying leadership factors for digital transformation in medical sciences education and presenting a model. Journal of Educational Excellence and Training, 2(1), 118-141. https://journals.iau.ir/article_709752.html
Jameson, J., Rumyantseva, N., Cai, M., Markowski, M., Essex, R., & McNay, I. (2022). A systematic review and framework for digital leadership research maturity in higher education. Computers and Education Open, 3, 100115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100115
Khurniawan, A. W., Irmawaty, I., & Supriadi, D. (2024). The Impact of Digital Leadership on Digital Transformation in University Organizations: An Analysis of Students' Views. Perspectives of Science and Education, 67(1), 677-690. https://doi.org/10.32744/pse.2024.1.38
Mahmoudi Khaledi, M., Vakil Alroaia, Y., Faez, A., & Razi, F. (2023). Validation of managers' digital competencies model (Case study: Organization of Education Evaluation of the country). Research on Educational Leadership and Management, 7(28), 66-88. https://journals.atu.ac.ir/article_16976.html
Mojouni, H., & Rahimi, H. (2024). Investigating the relationship between digital leadership and creative performance mediated by psychological empowerment in teachers. Journal of Research in Educational Science, 18(64), 35-54. https://www.jiera.ir/article_198099.html?lang=en
Musid, N. A., Mohd Matore, M. E. E., Hamid, A. H. A., Musid, N. A., Matore, M. E. M., & Hamid, A. A. (2023). Leading Digital Leadership in Schools: Future Implications Towards Nation Based on the Quadruple Helix Model. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v12-i1/16570
Nurabadi, A., Suhariadi, F., Mardiyanta, A., Triwiyanto, T., & Adha, M. A. (2022). Digital Principal Instructional Leadership in New Normal Era. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (Ijere), 11(3), 1090. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v11i3.22483
Rafiei Taghanaki, H. (2023). Investigating the Relationship Between Digital Transformation Leadership, Organizational Learning, and Employee Job Engagement (Case Study) Naghsh-e Jahan Institute of Higher Education - Isfahan].
Rahmani Tabar, Z., Khorshidi, A., Eraqiyeh, A. R., Barzegar, N., & Faghih Aram, B. (2024). Identifying the Constructive Components of Digital Leadership for Managers of Islamic Azad University. Journal of Jahandishapur Development of Education, 15(3). https://edj.ajums.ac.ir/article_204964.html
Ridho, M., Lesmana, I., Safitri, H. D. A., Meirani, R. K., & Prestiadi, D. (2023). Digital Leadership in the Scope of Education. 52-61. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-95-4_7
Taid, M., Nazarzadeh Zare, M., & Khakpour, A. (2023). The effect of digital leadership style on teachers' digital teaching with the mediating role of psychological empowerment. Quarterly Journal of Educational Innovations, 22(85). https://noavaryedu.oerp.ir/article_171515.html
Tanucan, J. C. M., Negrido, C. V., & Malaga, G. N. (2022). Digital leadership of school heads and job satisfaction of teachers in the Philippines during the pandemic. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(10), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.10.1
Tayyid, M., Nazarzadeh Zare, M., & Khakpour, A. (2023). The Impact of Digital Leadership Style on Teachers' Digital Teaching with the Mediating Role of Psychological Empowerment. Quarterly Journal of Educational Innovations, 22(85). https://noavaryedu.oerp.ir/article_171515.html?lang=en
Terania, L. (2023). A Review on Developing Digital Leadership: Assessing Strategies and Implications to Generate Links for Promoting Digital Leadership in Higher Education Institutions. Jip, 1(4). https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2023.0028
Yasemi, Z., Kheiri, A., & Rezaei, S. (2023). Digital Leadership Strategies in Sports Organizations and Their Impact in Individual and Organizational Arenas. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference of Students of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Tehran,
Zhan, H., Cheng, K. M., Wijaya, L., & Zhang, S. (2024). Investigating the Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy Between Digital Leadership Capability, Intercultural Competence, and Employability Among Working Undergraduates. Higher education, skills and work-based learning. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-02-2024-0032
