Digital transformation has become a key driver of change in higher education institutions, influencing organizational structures, teaching and learning processes, and leadership practices. In this context, digital leadership plays an increasingly important role in guiding institutional strategies, fostering innovation, and supporting the effective integration of digital technologies. At the same time, digital transformation in higher education is increasingly associated with broader objectives of sustainable development, inclusiveness, and security, as institutions seek to ensure equitable access to education, long-term organizational resilience, and safe digital environments. Although research on digital transformation and digital leadership in higher education has expanded rapidly in recent years, there remains a need for a systematic examination of methodological approaches used in this field, particularly in relation to how these approaches contribute to the assessment of sustainable, inclusive, and secure development in academic environments.
The aim of this study is to identify methodological trends in research on digital transformation and digital leadership in higher education published between 2020 and 2025, with a particular focus on their relevance for evaluating sustainability, inclusiveness, and security dimensions in higher education systems. The study employs a systematic literature review following the PRISMA framework to identify, screen, and analyze relevant scientific publications. Articles were selected from international academic databases based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The findings reveal that research in this field is characterized by a growing diversity of methodological approaches. Systematic literature reviews, bibliometric analyses, and empirical studies represent the most frequently used research designs. Quantitative and mixed-method approaches dominate empirical investigations, often focusing on the relationships between digital leadership, innovation performance, digital competencies, and organizational change in higher education institutions. At the same time, recent studies increasingly emphasize emerging themes such as artificial intelligence integration, digital ecosystems, and strategic leadership, which are closely linked to the development of sustainable, inclusive, and secure higher education systems. The study contributes to the systematization of research on digital transformation and digital leadership in higher education by highlighting dominant methodological approaches and identifying emerging research directions.
Publication Date: 2026-06-11