Digital work environment, employee engagement and job performance: A study of a State University Sri Lanka

This study explores the mediating role of the digital work environment in the relationship between leadership, training, employee engagement, and job performance within a state university in Sri Lanka. A quantitative approach was used in this study, in which data from 161 non-academic employees were collected through structured questionnaires. Regression analysis and structural equation modeling tested the hypothesized relationships. Findings indicate that leadership and training are the most influential enablers of the digital work environment, which in turn enhances employee engagement. Employee engagement is a mediator in the relationship between the digital work environment and job performance, underlining the paramount importance of transformational leadership and continuous training in digital transformation processes. The current study fills the gaps in the literature by focusing on the interplay of these variables in the context of Sri Lanka's higher education, which has not been substantially explored empirically so far. The findings of this study underscore the importance of trust-building and motivational strategies for leading, along with appropriate training programs to enhance digital competencies. This will be necessary in mitigating challenges like digital fatigue and isolation, while maximizing the benefits accruing from flexibility and collaboration in digital environments. The study gives actionable insights to improve employee satisfaction and, consequently, the performance of higher education institutions in their digital transformation processes. Although the findings relate to only one university, further research could be extended to multi-institutional or cross-country analyses.