Investigation of entrepreneurial leadership and digital transformation: Achieving business success in uncertain economic conditions

Abstract

In an uncertain economic situation marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic growth is difficult to predict, people’s purchasing power is falling, and many companies have collapsed. However, some small business actors can survive and thrive. They carry out various innovations, strategies, and actions according to the situation, including digital transformation. This study investigates the role of culinary sector entrepreneurial leaders in digital transformation and their impact on business success. The research uses a confirmatory survey method. Research objects are the leaders of small businesses in the culinary field in Bandung, Indonesia. The number of samples is 168 culinary entrepreneurs, and the samples are collected through snowball sampling. The results of the study show that entrepreneurial leadership has a positive effect on business success and corporate digital transformation. Digital transformation also has a positive influence on business success. Simultaneously, entrepreneurial leadership and digital transformation positively affect business success. The role of entrepreneurial leaders is not only in business success but also in dominant changes in company operations, such as the use of digital technology.