Navigating paradoxes of identity and leadership in the age of digital transformation of construction industry: architects’ experiences and perceptions

Abstract

The ability of architects to adapt to diverse identities and effectively manage the paradoxical challenges posed by digital transformation is critical to their role as innovative leaders in the dynamic digital construction landscape. However, existing research has yet to fully explore the complex experiences of paradoxical leadership and identity adaptation among architects in this context. Addressing this gap, the study aims to explore the types of conflicting identities and paradoxical leadership behaviour experienced by architects in response to the paradoxical challenges inherent to this phenomenon. Employing an interpretive phenomenological approach, the study engaged ten individuals practicing in architectural consultancy practices (ACPs) settings in Malaysia for in-depth, semi-structured interviews and a written account exercise to uncover their experiences. Thematic structural analysis yielded five key themes: “designer and technologist,” “technical-oriented and social-oriented individuals,” “collaborator and independent thinker,” “expert and lifelong learner,” and “reductionist and holistic thinking.” This comprehensive research strategy offers a more in-depth understanding of architects’ experiences and provides novel insights for enhancing leadership and identity development. Additionally, the newly developed paradoxical leadership and identity-based framework can serve as a platform for practitioners to nurture future-ready architects, upskill and reskill the existing workforce, and potentially reduce the industry’s reliance on foreign talent.

Keywords:

• Digital transformation
• construction industry
• paradoxical leadership
• performance identity
• architectural practice
• phenomenology

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for supporting this study. Credit also goes to the architectural director of 6IX Design Office, Suffian Shahabuddin for the intellectual contribution he gave to the research study since the beginning.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that supports the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request. Due to ethical considerations and privacy concerns, the raw data containing personal or sensitive information cannot be publicly shared. Requests for data access should be directed to the corresponding author, who will assess the feasibility of providing access to the data, considering applicable ethical and privacy regulations.