The energizing role of digital leadership: Digital mindset and eustress as dual mechanisms of digital work engagement in technology-intensive hotels

Background The rapid digital transformation of the hospitality industry has intensified the need for employees to adapt to technology-driven work environments while maintaining high levels of engagement. In this context, digital leadership serves as a critical organizational resource that can shape employees’ perceptions and responses to digital demands. Objective This study examines the impact of digital leadership on hotel employees’ digital work engagement, with a focus on the mediating roles of digital mindset and eustress. Drawing on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theory, the research explores how leadership in digital contexts can enhance employee engagement in technology-driven work environments. Methods Data were collected from 380 full-time employees working in five-star hotels that extensively utilize digital technologies in their daily operations and service delivery. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed using WarpPLS version 8 to analyze the proposed relationships. Results Findings reveal that digital leadership has a positive effect on employees’ digital work engagement, digital mindset, and eustress. Moreover, both digital mindset and eustress were found to positively influence digital work engagement. Mediation analysis indicates that employees’ digital mindset and eustress significantly mediate the relationship between digital leadership and digital work engagement. Conclusion This study underscores the critical role of digital leadership in fostering a technologically adaptive workforce and highlights the importance of promoting a positive digital mindset and manageable stress levels to enhance employee engagement in the hotel industry.