Transformational Leadership in the Digital Workplace: Effects on Workplace Satisfaction and Quality of Work Life through AI Acceptance

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Published: Jun 30, 2026
Keywords:
Transformational Leadership, AI-Acceptance, Workplace Satisfaction, Quality of Work Life, Pakistani Organizations

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Faisal Wali
Department of Management Sciences, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad Pakistan.
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7995-0574
Saira Hanif
Department of Management Sciences, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad Pakistan.
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5841-1076
Muhammad Bilal Khan
Registrar Department, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad Pakistan
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0049-7785

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the nature of work, but the benefits for any individual worker will rely on leadership and employees' acceptance of new technologies. This research investigates the direct and indirect relationship between transformational leadership and satisfaction and quality of work life in the manufacturing and service sectors of Pakistan with the mediation of acceptance of the use of AI in the workplace. A cross sectional design with quantitative approach was used. The respondents were 521 employees who were selected by convenience sampling method and data were obtained by physically using questionnaire and analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results suggest that transformational leadership has a positive effect on both employee satisfaction and quality of work life as well as on employee acceptance of AI. In addition, there are positive impacts on employee outcomes from the acceptance of AI. Additionally, the relationships between transformational leadership and the outcomes of workplace satisfaction and quality of work life are supported by AI acceptance as a mediator in all the proposed hypotheses. Inspirational, supportive, intellectually stimulating, and individually considerate leadership leads to favorable conditions in which employees see the usefulness, manageability, and compatibility of AI in their work. In exchange, robust acceptance allows staff members to access efficiency, autonomy, learning chances, and also work-related health and well-being. This study brings Social Exchange Theory to the field of AI in the work environment and provides empirical evidence in a context from an underrepresented emerging economy. The development of transformational leadership should be integrated with transparent communication of AI to the employees, participation by employees in the implementation process, training employees on AI, and providing employees with technical support.

Article Details

How to Cite
Wali, F., Hanif, S., & Khan, M. B. (2026). Transformational Leadership in the Digital Workplace: Effects on Workplace Satisfaction and Quality of Work Life through AI Acceptance. Journal of Workplace Behavior, 7(1), 60–78. Retrieved from https://charisma-jwb.com/index.php/jwb/article/view/305
Issue
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Workplace Behavior (JoWB)
Section
Articles
Author Biographies

Faisal Wali, Department of Management Sciences, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad Pakistan.

Faisal Wali is a graduate of MS in Intl Relations from University of Sialkot in 2023. He is currently a PhD scholar at Muslim Youth (MY) University, Islamabad since 2023. He is perusing PhD degree in Management Sciences. As part of the requirements of the degree, Faisal is in process of completing a research thesis titled ‘Transformational Leadership and Artificial Intelligence Integration: Impacts on Workplace Satisfaction, Employee Engagement and Quality of Work Life in Large Enterprises’. The current paper has also been derived from the study of the thesis.

Saira Hanif, Department of Management Sciences, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad Pakistan.

Saira Hanif is a graduate of MSc in Behaviourial Sciences from Fatimah Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi in 2004. She is currently a PhD scholar at MY University, Islamabad since 2023. She is perusing PhD degree in Management Sciences and a very dedicated contributor for the research article.

Muhammad Bilal Khan, Registrar Department, Muslim Youth University, Islamabad Pakistan

Bilal Khan (PhD) is serving as the Registrar at MY University, Islamabad. Dr. Bilal Khan holds a PhD degree in Business Administration from Pakistan. He has over 17 years of experience in higher education administration and brings a deep understanding of university governance, policy implementation and educational management. Prior to joining MY University, he served at various prestigious educational institutions like FAST-NU, NUST, Foundation University and Riphah International University, where he served on academic / administrative duties at different capacities.