BEYOND THE ALGORITHM: THE ROLE OF DIGITAL LEADERSHIP AND EXISTENTIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This study examines the role of Digital Leadership and Existential Intelligence in shaping effective HRM (Human Resource Management) practices in the digital era. Using a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, data were collected through an online survey and analysed using multiple linear regression.  The results indicate that both Digital Leadership and Existential Intelligence have significant positive effects on HRM, with the model explaining a substantial proportion of variance in HRM effectiveness (Adjusted R² = 0.914). Notably, Existential Intelligence demonstrates a stronger influence (β = 0.646) than Digital Leadership (β = 0.605), suggesting that meaning-making, ethical orientation, and purpose-driven leadership play a critical role alongside technological capability. These findings empirically challenge technocratic perspectives that prioritize digital skills as the sole determinant of management success. This study contributes to the existing literature on HRM quality in the digital era by understanding the interaction between technological capability and existential intelligence. The study highlights that the human element embodied in purpose, meaning, and resilience remains central in navigating digital disruption. Practically, the findings underscore the importance of developing leaders who integrate digital competence with existential awareness to foster sustainable and humanized HRM in the digital workplace.