Digital leadership’s impact: shaping innovative work behavior through the sequential mediation of AI intentions and career resilience using a dyadic approach

Purpose Digital leadership is essential in navigating the complexities of modern organizations, driving technological adoption and fostering innovation. This study aims to examine how digital leadership influences employees’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence, enhances career resilience and ultimately drives innovative work behavior. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from respondents employed in multinational corporations within Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry. The relationships among the variables were analyzed using AMOS, and a dyadic approach was adopted for data collection, where employees rated their managers on digital leadership, and managers evaluated employees on innovative work behavior through questionnaires. A total of 230 managers, middle managers and employees participated in the study. Findings The results reveal that digital leadership significantly shapes employees’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence and enhances their career resilience, thereby fostering innovative work behavior. The study offers valuable insights into the mechanisms through which digital leadership translates into positive employee behaviors. Originality/value This study uniquely explores the pathways of AI intentions and career resilience as mediators between digital leadership and innovative work behavior. It contributes to the limited research on how digital leadership directly impacts employee attitudes toward emerging technologies and career adaptability. The findings offer fresh perspectives on the role of leadership in driving innovation within dynamic organizational environments.