THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON THE INNOVATION JOURNEY OF THE VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

To keep pace with the knowledge-based economy, university leaders in Vietnam may have increasingly leveraged the power of digital transformation to implement innovation strategies. From the leader’s perspective, digital transformation is not merely an inevitable trend but a robust foundation that enables universities to optimize operations and effectively harness internal capabilities. On this basis, universities are expected to deliver tangible benefits to learners while actively contributing to the community’s sustainable development. Drawing on diffusion of innovations theory and the dynamic capabilities framework, this article considers the vital role of leadership and digital transformation in driving innovation within Vietnamese universities. Besides, it offers insights that may prove valuable for university leaders in pursuing comprehensive reform aimed at long-term institutional sustainability.