Facilitating organisational development through digital workplace in the railway industry: A serial mediation of digital leadership and psychological safety

Abstract

Rail is one of the most efficient forms of transport in the whole world for both passengers and freight. Although the sector is thriving in the developed world, the same cannot be said of the sector in less developed countries where it is burdened by the ageing infrastructure, financial constraints, operational inefficiencies and environmental concerns. However, the digital workplace can be a panacea to the above predicaments.  As such, the study sought to assess the influence of the digital workplace on organisational development in the railway industry, moderated by digital leadership and psychological safety. Guided by the positivism research philosophy and the deductive approach, the study adopted a quantitative research design where a survey was utilised to collect primary data from 194 participants working in the railway industry in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.The study found that digital workplace has a positive impact on organisational development. It was concluded that digital workplace, digital leadership and psychological safety are important in improving organisational development. There is need to invest in robust digital infrastructure which prioritises the rollout of secure and high speed digital communication platforms across all railway stations and operational points to ensure real-time information sharing. 

Authors & affiliations

Elton Vakira
Lupane State University

Njabulo Ndlovu
National University of Science and Technology

Paul Nemashakwe
Catholic University of Zimbabwe

Nonhlanhla Khumalo
Lupane State University

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