Digital leadership competencies for school administrators in Bangkok’s educational transformation

Abstract

This study investigates the complex interrelationships between digital leadership competencies, crisis management capabilities, and adaptation strategies among school administrators in Bangkok, Thailand. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative surveys (n=342) and qualitative interviews (n=38), the research identifies five critical dimensions of effective school leadership: digital competency integration, strategic crisis navigation, adaptive instructional leadership, student-centered digital pedagogies, and continuous professional self-development. Administrators demonstrating high proficiency across these dimensions achieved 33% higher teacher satisfaction rates and 38% greater success in digital transformation. The study advances a theoretical framework for understanding educational leadership in digitally transforming contexts, offering practical implications for leadership development programs in Bangkok and similar urban educational settings. This research addresses a significant gap in understanding how school administrators in emerging economies navigate the complex interplay between digital transformation, crisis management, and evolving student needs in the digital era.