Digital Leadership in Cross-Cultural Organizations: Insights from Swiss Healthcare Companies

The pervasive influence of digitalization is undeniable in the contemporary landscape. However, available tools and resources are often underutilized by many leaders. Accordingly, an effective digital leadership is vital for complex organizations in today’s interconnected world. Despite considerable attention to digital leadership, a noticeable research gap exists concerning its application in cross-cultural settings. Therefore, this study examines the role of digital leadership in Swiss healthcare companies, which serve as prime examples of global players grappling with cross-cultural complexities. The healthcare sector strives for efficiency through digital technologies and diverse global team management. Moreover, Switzerland, known for its advanced development, regulatory framework and multinational healthcare environment, offers an ideal setting for the research in this context. Conducting semi-structured expert interviews, this study provides insights to better understand the digital leadership strategies and challenges. Our findings highlight that effective digital leadership extends beyond technical skills, encompassing communication, collaboration, and cultural competencies.