Modiba, Dalson Nkoana2025-03-132024Modiba, Dalson Nkoana. (2024). Digital transformation within the public sector communication service in South Africa [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg].WireDSpace.https://hdl.handle.net/10539/44294https://hdl.handle.net/10539/44294A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024Neo-institutional theory (NIT) has been widely used in research concerning business, accounting, economics, management studies, health, education, political science, and sociology. The use of NIT, especially in the area of digital transformation (DT), is still in its embryonic stage. Furthermore, despite the benefits of DT, documented case studies about the successful implementation of DT initiatives are scant, especially in the public sector. In this study, NIT was utilised to examine the role of digital transformational leadership (DTL) and organizational agility (OA) in accelerating DT in a South African (SA) public sector communication service. Using a pre-tested survey instrument, the aim was to collect and evaluate additional quantitative data to answer the question: is NIT an appropriate model to use to assess DTL, OA, and DT relationships in a public service communication service within a South African context? The findings affirm that, in the South African context, there is indeed a linear relationship between DT and DTL, with DTL and OA as predictors. Both factors are significant predictors of DT, with the results accentuating the crucial role of DTL in the interplay of OA and DT. DTL was found to have a positive and significant effect on OA. OA was found to have a complementary mediating role in the relationship between DTL and DT. Consequently, this study provides crucial insights, especially for practitioners who are looking to explore and invest in the leadership traits required to build agile public service organizations to successfully implement DT initiatives. It also opens up avenues for further research, especially considering the fact that DT remains a complex digital dilemma even after several studies that have been conducted.en© 2025 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Organizational agilityDigital transformational leadershipSouth AfricaNew institutional theoryUCTDSDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructureDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg