DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE ADAPTABILITY: A STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING WORKPLACE INNOVATION
Downloads
Digital transformation has become a critical factor for organizational success, yet the ability of employees to adapt to technological changes remains a significant challenge. Employee adaptability is influenced by various psychological factors, which have not been sufficiently explored in the context of digital transformation. This study aims to investigate the role of emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, self-efficacy, and stress management in shaping employee adaptability during digital transformation processes. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 300 employees and 30 managers from various industries undergoing digital transformation. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis revealed that emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and self-efficacy significantly correlate with employee adaptability, while stress management showed a weaker relationship. Qualitative interviews supported these findings, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence in reducing resistance to change and fostering collaboration. The study concludes that organizations should prioritize developing these psychological traits to enhance employee adaptability and improve the success of digital transformation initiatives. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms involved in employee adaptation, offering practical implications for organizations aiming to optimize workforce performance during technological transitions.
Abdelrahman, M., Papamichail, K. N., Hammady, R., Kurt, Y., Abdallah, W., Shixiong Liu, L., & Kapser, S. (2025). Organisational Culture and Knowledge Management Systems Adoption: Examining Employee Usage in Multinational Corporations. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 26(3), 439–467. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-025-00448-w
Agung Kresnamurti Rivai, P., Usman, O., Hardini, I. R., & Kasofi, A. (2025). The role of disruptive technology in enhancing organizational culture, transformational leadership, organizational learning, and individual readiness for change: A study on Bank Jago. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(4), 1497–1508. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i4.6326
Ahmed, H. A. M., Al-Romeedy, B. S., Badwy, H. E., & Abdelghani, A. A. A. (2025). The effect of transformational entrepreneurship on competitive advantage in tourism and hospitality organizations through organizational support and employee resilience. Research Journal in Advanced Humanities, 6(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.58256/d09d8c80
AlAbood, A., & Sulphey, M. M. (2026). Psychological antecedents of creativity and workplace innovation: Evidence from Saudi Arabia. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 24(1), 420–437. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.24(1).2026.28
Aldahdouh, T. Z., Korhonen, V., & Nokelainen, P. (2019). What contributes to individual innovativeness? A multilevel perspective. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 3(2), 23–39. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2019.06.001
Al-Hmesat, M. M., Albloush, A., Albuainai, O. L., Albuainai, E. S. A., Al Graibeh, A. M. A., & Altarawneh, H. M. (2025). THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN COMMERCIAL BANKS. Risk Governance and Control: Financial Markets and Institutions, 15(1 Special Issue), 215–225. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.22495/rgcv15i1sip7
Almazrouei, H., Alvarez-Torres, F. J., Schiuma, G., & Lopez-Torres, G. C. (2025). The digital creative organisation: Are work–life balance, remote working and management support impacting in the creativity? Measuring Business Excellence, 29(4), 734–760. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/MBE-10-2024-0177
Amudha, R., Alamelu, R., Motha, L. C. S., & Badrinath, V. (2015). Manifestation of workplace stressors among banking personnel. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 10(8), 932–937. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.10.2449
Bingcheng, W., Jingyi, Z., & Zicheng, W. (2022). Negative reciprocity: The influence mechanisms of psychological contract violation on business model innovation based on a moderated mediation model. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, 36(1), 73–82. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.13587/j.cnki.jieem.2022.01.007
Cobban, S. J., & Profetto-Mcgrath, J. (2011). Dental hygienists’ research utilization: Influence of context and attitudes. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 9(3), 191–198. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00484.x
Duha, S., Zerkal, A., Makarchuk, I., Tilikina, N., & Kachmar, B. (2025). Practical Implications of Human Capital Asset Allocation for the Business and Economy. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 18(11), 133–146. Scopus.
Enstroem, R., Singh Kang, P., & Bhawna, B. (2025). The harmonized information-technology and organizational performance model (HI-TOP). International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 33(5), 1277–1292. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-03-2024-4403
Firmansyah, A., Irawan, F., & Wijaya, S. (2025). Unlocking public sector excellence: The synergy of intellectual capital and digital leadership in tax administration. Intangible Capital, 21(2), 201–230. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3926/ic.3147
Fodouop Kouam, A. W. (2025). Navigating Disruption: The Role of Resilience and Digital Transformation in Chinese Cross-Border E-Commerce SMEs Post-COVID-19. SAGE Open, 15(4). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251405028
Foncubierta-Rodríguez, M.-J. (2022). Influence of the entrepreneur’s personal values in business governance style and their relationship with happiness at work. Corporate Governance (Bingley), 22(3), 592–617. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/CG-05-2021-0197
Furaijl, H. B., Khader, O. M., Mohammed, R. J., Dawie, W. M., Salih, A. S., & Alwan, A. M. (2025). THE DIGITAL ECONOMY AND LABOR MARKETS: HOW AUTOMATION AND AI ARE RESHAPING EMPLOYMENT TRENDS. Procedia Environmental Science, Engineering and Management, 12(1), 251–260. Scopus.
Hassard, J., & Morris, J. (2022). The extensification of managerial work in the digital age: Middle managers, spatio-temporal boundaries and control. Human Relations, 75(9), 1647–1678. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267211003123
Jaturat, N., & Na-Nan, K. (2025). Validating the 5 H psychological framework for sustainable organizational behavior. Discover Psychology, 5(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-025-00534-1
Kling, N., Haugk, S., & Gebauer, H. (2025). Towards a Data-Driven Organisation: Making Data a Strategic Knowledge Asset in SMEs. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(6), 18424–18442. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-025-02631-x
Krichbaum, K., Diemert, C., Jacox, L., Jones, A., Koenig, P., Mueller, C., & Disch, J. (2007). Complexity compression: Nurses under fire. Nursing Forum, 42(2), 86–94. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6198.2007.00071.x
Kuwar, V., Sonawaney, V., Shankar, U., Yadav, A., Radhakrishnan, V., Upreti, K., Gupta, K., & Jain, R. (2025). Workforce Transformation and Value Creation in the Era of Industry 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0: Challenges and Enablers. International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 14(1), 314–324. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.14419/r61ag136
Latif, N., Noaman, M. S., Ismail, N. Q. M., Alkabi, H. S., Al Hilfi, T. K. Y., & Khlaponina, A. (2025). The role of organizational culture in driving environmental digital transformation. Environment and Social Psychology, 10(11). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i11.3971
Le, V. C., Nguyen, D. T., & Pham, K. T. (2025). The Impact of Employee Digital Skills on Digital Transformation and Organizational Performance: A Study in Vietnam’s Coal Mining Companies. Inzynieria Mineralna, 1(2), 239–252. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.29227/IM-2025-02-21
Neher, A., Wuersch, L., Wong, A., & Peter, M. K. (2025). The association between technology group, working from home behaviour and preferred communication tools in disruptive times: A micro and small enterprise perspective. European Research on Management and Business Economics, 31(2). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iedeen.2025.100280
Reyes-Cornejo, P., Araya-Castillo, L., Moraga-Flores, H., Boada-Grau, J., & Olivares-Brito, C. (2025). Scientometric Study of Digital Transformation and Human Resources: Collaborations, Opportunities, and Future Research Directions. Administrative Sciences, 15(4). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15040152
Rye, M., Friborg, O., & Skre, I. (2019). Attitudes of mental health providers towards adoption of evidence-based interventions: Relationship to workplace, staff roles and social and psychological factors at work. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-3933-4
Sahlimar, N. S., Dimisyqiyani, E., Pertiwi, A. R., Putri, E. L. H., & Abdullah, S. I. N. W. (2025). Smart archive management: The interplay of organizational culture and knowledge governance. Record and Library Journal, 11(2), 424–440. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.20473/rlj.V11-I2.2025.424-440
Salim, B., & Khorsheed, K. A. (2025). The role of psychological climate factors in stimulating creativity through workplace innovation in the service sector of a transitional economy. Discover Psychology, 5(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-025-00482-w
Schelvis, R. M. C., Oude Hengel, K. M., Wiezer, N. M., Blatter, B. M., Van Genabeek, J. A. G. M., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Van Der Beek, A. J. (2013). Design of the Bottom-up Innovation project—A participatory, Primary preventive, Organizational level intervention on work-related stress and well-being for workers in dutch vocational education. BMC Public Health, 13(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-760
Spence Laschinger, H. K., Sabiston, J. A., Finegan, J., & Shamian, J. (2001). Voices from the trenches: Nurses’ experiences of hospital restructuring in Ontario. Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership, 14(1), 6–13. Scopus.
Starke, S., & Ludviga, I. (2025). Unlocking Digital Potential—The Impact of Innovation and Self-Determined Learning. Systems, 13(5). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13050396
Thammatacharee, N., Suphanchaimat, R., Wisaijohn, T., Limwattananon, S., & Putthasri, W. (2013). Attitudes toward working in rural areas of Thai medical, dental and pharmacy new graduates in 2012: A cross-sectional survey. Human Resources for Health, 11(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4491-11-53
Thi, S. T., Thao, N. H. T., & Kim, P. T. (2025). Technology Overload and Subjective Well-Being in Vietnamese Banks: The Mediating Role of Work-family Conflict, with Leader-member Exchange and Perceived Organizational Support as Moderators. Journal of Behavioral Science, 20(2), 106–120. Scopus.
Vasilenko, L. A., Stepnova, L. A., & Litash-Sorokina, E. A. (2025). Personal-professional efficiency of employees in the mature digital organization. RUDN Journal of Sociology, 25(3), 681–700. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2272-2025-25-3-681-700
Velikiy, P. P., & Vyalshina, A. A. (2025). SOCIOCULTURAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS OF THE LIFEWORLD OF RUSSIAN RURAL SOCIETY. Sotsiologicheskie Issledovaniya, 2025(4), 3–19. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.31857/S0132162525040011
Wodajeneh, S. N., Azene, D. K., Berhan, E., & Sileyew, K. J. (2024). Impacts of ergonomic risk factors on the well-being and innovation capability of employees in the manufacturing industry. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 30(2), 412–424. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2024.2313905
Yanytska, L. (2025). The rise of human-centric manufacturing in the industry 5.0 era. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 139(9–10), 5067–5077. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-025-16192-5
Copyright (c) 2026 Dodi Setiawan, James Smith, Jack Davis

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.


















