The mediating role of artificial intelligence perception and creative idea generation in the impact of sustainable leadership on digital transformation and circular economy awareness
6 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Kafkas University , ,
- 2Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University , ,
- 3Academy of Civil Aviation, Giresun University , ,
- 4Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Istanbul Arel University , ,
- 5Faculty of Tourism, Van Yuzuncu Yil University , ,
- 6Independent Researcher , ,
Abstract
Introduction: Today, sustainable leadership is a strategic leadership approach that addresses environmental, social, and economic priorities from a holistic perspective while at the same time driving digital transformation processes. The research aims to explain how sustainable leaders mobilize organizational resources, technological infrastructure, and human creativity within the framework of Dynamic Capabilities Theory.
Methods: The research was conducted on 456 white-collar employees working in small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Giresun, Kars, and Kırşehir provinces. The data collected by the convenience sampling method were analyzed using the PLS-SEM method with the SmartPLS 4.1.1 program.
Results: The analysis results show that sustainable leadership has significant and positive effects on perceptions of artificial intelligence, the generation of creative ideas, digital transformation, and awareness of the circular economy. It was found that the perception of artificial intelligence (AI) has a significant effect on both digital transformation and awareness of the circular economy. It was also determined that creative idea generation has significant effects on digital transformation and awareness of the circular economy. The results of the mediation analyses revealed a partial mediating role for all variables.
Discussion: The findings reveal that sustainable leadership is not limited to the environmental and social responsibility dimension and is a strategic element that directs digital transformation processes, shapes perceptions towards artificial intelligence, and encourages organizational creativity.
Related
- Artificial Intelligence for Blue Transformation: A Review of Predictive Modeling and Decision Support Systems in Sustainable Aquaculture
- Artificial Intelligence Powered End-to-End Agricultural Machinery: Intelligent Transformation of Design and Maintenance Systems
- Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable and Resilient Global Supply Chains: Bridging the Gap Through an Integrated Conceptual Framework
- Sustainable construction and artificial intelligence: the role of agile project management in construction project resilience in Pakistan
- Validation, Calibration and Transparency, More than Accuracy: An Appraisal of Artificial Intelligence Against Antimicrobial Resistance and a Sustainable, Testable Diagnostic Architecture
BibTeX
@article{yerdelenkaygin2026mediating,
title = {{The mediating role of artificial intelligence perception and creative idea generation in the impact of sustainable leadership on digital transformation and circular economy awareness}},
author = {Ceyda Yerdelen-Kaygin and Mustafa Altıntaş and Ethem Topçuoğlu and Onur Oktaysoy and Erdogan Kaygin and Volkan Tatar and Burcu Turan-Torun and Bilal Kobanoğlu},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1892855},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724401},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The mediating role of artificial intelligence perception and creative idea generation in the impact of sustainable leadership on digital transformation and circular economy awareness
AU - Ceyda Yerdelen-Kaygin
AU - Mustafa Altıntaş
AU - Ethem Topçuoğlu
AU - Onur Oktaysoy
AU - Erdogan Kaygin
AU - Volkan Tatar
AU - Burcu Turan-Torun
AU - Bilal Kobanoğlu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Frontiers in psychology
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1892855
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724401
AB - Introduction: Today, sustainable leadership is a strategic leadership approach that addresses environmental, social, and economic priorities from a holistic perspective while at the same time driving digital transformation processes. The research aims to explain how sustainable leaders mobilize organizational resources, technological infrastructure, and human creativity within the framework of Dynamic Capabilities Theory. Methods: The research was conducted on 456 white-collar employees working in small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Giresun, Kars, and Kırşehir provinces. The data collected by the convenience sampling method were analyzed using the PLS-SEM method with the SmartPLS 4.1.1 program. Results: The analysis results show that sustainable leadership has significant and positive effects on perceptions of artificial intelligence, the generation of creative ideas, digital transformation, and awareness of the circular economy. It was found that the perception of artificial intelligence (AI) has a significant effect on both digital transformation and awareness of the circular economy. It was also determined that creative idea generation has significant effects on digital transformation and awareness of the circular economy. The results of the mediation analyses revealed a partial mediating role for all variables. Discussion: The findings reveal that sustainable leadership is not limited to the environmental and social responsibility dimension and is a strategic element that directs digital transformation processes, shapes perceptions towards artificial intelligence, and encourages organizational creativity.
SN - 1664-1078
ER -