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The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees
Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613680325099520 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Balkissoon, Rishal |
| author_browse | Balkissoon, Rishal |
| author_facet | Balkissoon, Rishal |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109128 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:59.869Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109128 The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees Balkissoon, Rishal ichelp@gibs.co.za Matela, Ntombifuthi UCTD Ethical governance Digital leadership Process efficiency Responsible innovation Banking transformation Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study investigates how ethical governance influences digital leadership effectiveness and process efficiency in South African banks undergoing digital transformation. As banks accelerate innovation to remain competitive, they must also uphold ethical standards, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder trust. Using an interpretivist qualitative approach, the research draws on 20 semi-structured interviews with digital leaders, managers, and employees across five major banks. Thematic analysis discovered three mutually dependent constructs ethical governance, digital leadership, and process efficiency each contributing to sustainable transformation. Findings show that ethical governance, when embedded early in design and reinforced by leadership modeling, enhances operational reliability and reduces risk. Conversely, governance perceived as bureaucratic can hinder innovation and efficiency. Effective digital leaders mediate this tension by aligning strategy, empowering teams, and fostering ethical climates. Efficiency gains such as reduced turnaround times and improved data quality were most durable when governance and leadership were integrated. The study contributes to theory by bridging Institutional Theory, Ethical Climate Theory, and Corporate Digital Responsibility, and offers practical recommendations for aligning innovation with ethical oversight. These insights are especially relevant for emerging market banks navigating complex socio-economic and regulatory landscapes, where leadership decisions must balance agility, compliance, and inclusive value creation. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MBA Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth 2026-03-23T09:08:29Z 2026-03-23T09:08:29Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109128 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Ethical governance Digital leadership Process efficiency Responsible innovation Banking transformation The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees |
| title | The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees |
| title_full | The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees |
| title_fullStr | The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees |
| title_short | The impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in South African banks: Perspectives from Digital Leaders, Managers, and Employees |
| title_sort | impact of ethical governance on digital leadership effectiveness and operational efficiency in south african banks perspectives from digital leaders managers and employees |
| topic | UCTD Ethical governance Digital leadership Process efficiency Responsible innovation Banking transformation |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109128 |