DIGITAL LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE WELLBEING IN HYBRID WORK MODELS: LESSONS FROM NIGERIA SMES

The growing adoption of digital technologies and flexible work arrangements has increased the importance of effective leadership and employee wellbeing in modern organisations. This study examined the influence of digital leadership on employee wellbeing in hybrid work models among Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 215 employees of SMEs using a structured questionnaire titled Digital Leadership and Employee Wellbeing in Hybrid Work Questionnaire (DLEWHWQ), validated with a reliability coefficient of 0.89. Data analysis was conducted using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient at a 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that digital communication and technological support significantly influence employee wellbeing among Nigerian SMEs operating hybrid work models. The study also found that digital leadership practices significantly influence employees’ work-life balance. The study concludes that effective digital leadership is essential for supporting employee wellbeing and maintaining healthy work-life balance in hybrid work environments. It recommends that Nigerian SMEs strengthen digital communication and technological support while adopting flexible leadership practices that promote manageable workloads, employee autonomy and clear boundaries between work and personal life.