Linking digital transformational leadership, symmetrical internal communication with innovation capability: a moderated mediation model

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between digital transformational leadership (DTL) and innovation capability (IIC) in multinational (MNC) firms’ settings. The current study emphasises the mediating-moderating impact of symmetrical internal communication (SIC) and trust in leadership (TIL) in further shaping this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The researchers adopted three-wave data consisting of responses from 323 cross-border team members working in MNC firms. A moderated-mediation model was tested using Hynes’ Process Macro and IBM Amos. Findings The empirical findings underscore a positive relationship between DTL and IIC and the mediation by SIC. Furthermore, the researchers also identified a moderated mediation relationship of TIL. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the moderated mediation relationship among DTL, SIC, IIC and TIL using the complexity leadership theory perspective.