Key leadership competencies in different management levels for digital transformation in construction organisations

In recent years, the slow progress of digital transformation in construction organisations has received an increasing attention, and effective leadership is considered an important factor in driving transformation. Using China as the study context, this research aims to identify important leadership competencies for digital transformation across different management levels in construction. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 299 construction practitioners. The finding points out that interpersonal leadership competencies are considered important by construction practitioners at all levels. Conscientiousness, collaboration, and trust-building are particularly critical competencies in this domain. The research also found variances in what being considered important competencies in different management levels. For general staff, competencies, such as task decomposition and goal establishment, is the key. The competency of policy interpretation and implementation becomes important for the line managers and middle managers. For senior managers, the competencies of encouragement, persuasion, empowerment, and supervision have become key. This research provides practical guidance for leadership development for each management level in a construction organisation to support digital transformation.