Building a Sustainable Aviation Workforce: The Role of Digital Leadership, AI Readiness, and Workplace Diversity

Abstract

 
The study examines the role of digital leadership, AI readiness and the workplace diversity in the Saudi aviation sector in determining employee performance. Using the organizational support theory and social exchange theory, the study also examines whether the perception of the workers that they are being taken care of by the organization and their commitment towards the organizations are examined through perceived organizational support and organizational commitment which act as serial mediators which help in translating digital and diversity initiatives into performance-oriented results.  A survey of 412 aviation workers in airlines consisting of ground handling firms and airport authorities was used to collect data that were examined with PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that digital leadership, AI readiness and workplace diversity positively influence employee performance. The primary process is perceived organizational support that gives employees the message that the organization cares and helps the employees. These performance gains are further supported by organizational commitment. Serial mediation findings give evidence that both support and commitment have a sequential effect that transfer the consequences of digital and diversity programs on performance. The complete model accounts for 64.5% of explained variance of employees' performance. Results indicate that technology and diversity-related interventions are most effective when organizations take active steps to support diverse employees and build their level of commitment which turn the hearts and minds of personnel toward the collective good. For HR leaders and government officials driving Saudi Vision 2030, the emphasis should be to invest in digital leadership and AI preparedness while also building stronger organizational support and commitment to build a more agile and high performing aviation workforce.