Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework

Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman; Abdullah Hussein Salem; Yasser Nasr Eldin; Wael Ahmed Abdalla

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework

Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman

, Abdullah Hussein Salem

, Yasser Nasr Eldin, Wael Ahmed Abdalla^*

Published in Journal of Human Resource Management (Volume 13, Issue 4)

Received: 5 September 2025 Accepted: 18 September 2025 Published: 29 December 2025

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

As value creation increasingly shifts toward networked digital ecosystems, leadership must evolve from managing internal organizational transformation to designing collaborative, ethical, and adaptive digital environments. This paper conceptualizes Digital Ecosystem Architecture (DEA) as a meta-competence within the Visionary Management dimension of the VFC Competence Framework. DEA is defined as the capacity to conceive, govern, and expand digital ecosystems, grounded in three interrelated pillars: Strategic Ecosystem Thinking, Orchestrative Governance, and Value-Based Digital Architecture. Through thematic synthesis and an illustrative case study of the MENA-region platform Careem, the paper introduces the Ecosystem Leadership Competency Model (ELCM) and outlines developmental pathways across four progressive stages, guided by a KSAH (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Habits) framework. Findings demonstrate that DEA enables leaders to engage in systemic foresight, promote inclusive governance, and design ethically sound digital infrastructures. The study contributes to digital leadership theory by providing an evidence-informed model for cultivating digitally competent leaders, with particular relevance to emerging markets and platform-fragmented economies.

Published in	Journal of Human Resource Management (Volume 13, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
Page(s)	100-111
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Digital Ecosystem Architecture, Visionary Leadership, Platform Governance, KSAH Competency Framework, Ecosystem Thinking

References

[1]	Avolio, B. J., Kahai, S. S., & Dodge, G. E. (2000). E-leadership: Implications for theory, research, and practice. The Leadership Quarterly, 11(4), 615–668. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(00)00062-X
[2]	Balcerzyk, A., & Žukovskis, J. (2024). Leadership Ecosystem 5.0: From system theory to strategic agility. Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Śląskiej, 191, 1–20.
[3]	Careem. (2021). Careem Pay: Transforming how the region moves money. Retrieved from https://blog.careem.com
[4]	Ciborra, C. U. (1999). Hospitality and IT, Proceedings of the 22nd Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia (IRIS 22): "Enterprise Architectures for Virtual Organisations" 7-10 August, 1999 Keuruu, Finland.
[5]	Dubai Future Foundation. (2022). The Future of Digital Platforms in the GCC. Government report.
[6]	Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24160888
[7]	El Essawi, A. (2022). How Careem grew into the MENA region’s first super app. Arabian Business. https://www.arabianbusiness.com
[8]	Gill, A. Q. (2020). Digital enterprise architecture: A concept-centric implementation approach. Springer.
[9]	Loonam, J., Zwiegelaar, J., Kumar, V., & Booth, C. (2020). Cyber resiliency for digital enterprises: A review of the literature and directions for future research. Journal of Business Research, 120, 643–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.01.057
[10]	Mahadeo, J. (2022). Leadership 5.0: An agile mindset for a digital future. Leadership, 50, 12–28.
[11]	Marnewick, C., & Marnewick, A. (2021). Digital intelligence: A must-have for project managers. Project Leadership and Society, 2, 100026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plas.2021.100026
[12]	McKinsey & Company. (2021). The rise of super-apps in emerging markets. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com
[13]	Morgan, S. (2022). Digital Leadership for the Built Environment. Springer.
[14]	Nambisan, S., & Baron, R. A. (2019). On the costs of digital entrepreneurship: Role conflict, stress, and venture performance in digital platform-based ecosystems. Journal of Business Research, 125, 520–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.037
[15]	Park, Y. (2019). Digital Intelligence Quotient (DQ): A set of digital competencies rooted in universal moral values. DQ Institute White Paper. https://www.dqinstitute.org
[16]	Peng, Y. (2021). Digital leadership and state governance in the era of digital technology. Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, 19(3), 205–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/14765284.2021.1941344
[17]	Purwanto, A., Nugroho, B. S., Hakim, L., Ritaudin, M. S., Nurhasanah, E., Suarsa, A.,... & Sudargini, Y. (2020). Effect of ecological, servant, and digital leadership on university performance: Evidence from Indonesian universities. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, 11(10), 408–417.
[18]	Sama Dubai. (2020). Careem post-acquisition strategy brief. Internal consultancy white paper.
[19]	Sartika, A., & Supriadi, Y. (2023). The transformative leadership compass: Six competencies for digital transformation and entrepreneurship. JCEM: Journal of Competence and Educational Management, 4(1), 15–34.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Adelmohiman, M. M., Salem, A. H., Eldin, Y. N., Abdalla, W. A. (2025). Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework. Journal of Human Resource Management, 13(4), 100-111. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Adelmohiman, M. M.; Salem, A. H.; Eldin, Y. N.; Abdalla, W. A. Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework. J. Hum. Resour. Manag. 2025, 13(4), 100-111. doi: 10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Adelmohiman MM, Salem AH, Eldin YN, Abdalla WA. Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework. J Hum Resour Manag. 2025;13(4):100-111. doi: 10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11,
  author = {Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman and Abdullah Hussein Salem and Yasser Nasr Eldin and Wael Ahmed Abdalla},
  title = {Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework},
  journal = {Journal of Human Resource Management},
  volume = {13},
  number = {4},
  pages = {100-111},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jhrm.20251304.11},
  abstract = {As value creation increasingly shifts toward networked digital ecosystems, leadership must evolve from managing internal organizational transformation to designing collaborative, ethical, and adaptive digital environments. This paper conceptualizes Digital Ecosystem Architecture (DEA) as a meta-competence within the Visionary Management dimension of the VFC Competence Framework. DEA is defined as the capacity to conceive, govern, and expand digital ecosystems, grounded in three interrelated pillars: Strategic Ecosystem Thinking, Orchestrative Governance, and Value-Based Digital Architecture. Through thematic synthesis and an illustrative case study of the MENA-region platform Careem, the paper introduces the Ecosystem Leadership Competency Model (ELCM) and outlines developmental pathways across four progressive stages, guided by a KSAH (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Habits) framework. Findings demonstrate that DEA enables leaders to engage in systemic foresight, promote inclusive governance, and design ethically sound digital infrastructures. The study contributes to digital leadership theory by providing an evidence-informed model for cultivating digitally competent leaders, with particular relevance to emerging markets and platform-fragmented economies.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework
AU  - Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman
AU  - Abdullah Hussein Salem
AU  - Yasser Nasr Eldin
AU  - Wael Ahmed Abdalla
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
T2  - Journal of Human Resource Management
JF  - Journal of Human Resource Management
JO  - Journal of Human Resource Management
SP  - 100
EP  - 111
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0715
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
AB  - As value creation increasingly shifts toward networked digital ecosystems, leadership must evolve from managing internal organizational transformation to designing collaborative, ethical, and adaptive digital environments. This paper conceptualizes Digital Ecosystem Architecture (DEA) as a meta-competence within the Visionary Management dimension of the VFC Competence Framework. DEA is defined as the capacity to conceive, govern, and expand digital ecosystems, grounded in three interrelated pillars: Strategic Ecosystem Thinking, Orchestrative Governance, and Value-Based Digital Architecture. Through thematic synthesis and an illustrative case study of the MENA-region platform Careem, the paper introduces the Ecosystem Leadership Competency Model (ELCM) and outlines developmental pathways across four progressive stages, guided by a KSAH (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Habits) framework. Findings demonstrate that DEA enables leaders to engage in systemic foresight, promote inclusive governance, and design ethically sound digital infrastructures. The study contributes to digital leadership theory by providing an evidence-informed model for cultivating digitally competent leaders, with particular relevance to emerging markets and platform-fragmented economies.
VL  - 13
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman

Business Wheel Academy, Cairo, Egypt

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-8987-9842
Abdullah Hussein Salem

Business Wheel Academy, Cairo, Egypt

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-8533-9828
Yasser Nasr Eldin

Business Wheel Academy, Cairo, Egypt
Wael Ahmed Abdalla

Faculty of Arts, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-8610-5635

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Adelmohiman, M. M., Salem, A. H., Eldin, Y. N., Abdalla, W. A. (2025). Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework. Journal of Human Resource Management, 13(4), 100-111. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Adelmohiman, M. M.; Salem, A. H.; Eldin, Y. N.; Abdalla, W. A. Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework. J. Hum. Resour. Manag. 2025, 13(4), 100-111. doi: 10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Adelmohiman MM, Salem AH, Eldin YN, Abdalla WA. Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework. J Hum Resour Manag. 2025;13(4):100-111. doi: 10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11,
  author = {Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman and Abdullah Hussein Salem and Yasser Nasr Eldin and Wael Ahmed Abdalla},
  title = {Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework},
  journal = {Journal of Human Resource Management},
  volume = {13},
  number = {4},
  pages = {100-111},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jhrm.20251304.11},
  abstract = {As value creation increasingly shifts toward networked digital ecosystems, leadership must evolve from managing internal organizational transformation to designing collaborative, ethical, and adaptive digital environments. This paper conceptualizes Digital Ecosystem Architecture (DEA) as a meta-competence within the Visionary Management dimension of the VFC Competence Framework. DEA is defined as the capacity to conceive, govern, and expand digital ecosystems, grounded in three interrelated pillars: Strategic Ecosystem Thinking, Orchestrative Governance, and Value-Based Digital Architecture. Through thematic synthesis and an illustrative case study of the MENA-region platform Careem, the paper introduces the Ecosystem Leadership Competency Model (ELCM) and outlines developmental pathways across four progressive stages, guided by a KSAH (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Habits) framework. Findings demonstrate that DEA enables leaders to engage in systemic foresight, promote inclusive governance, and design ethically sound digital infrastructures. The study contributes to digital leadership theory by providing an evidence-informed model for cultivating digitally competent leaders, with particular relevance to emerging markets and platform-fragmented economies.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Digital Ecosystem Architecture as a Leadership Competency: Redesigning Organizational Futures Through the VFC Competence Framework
AU  - Mustafa Mohamed Adelmohiman
AU  - Abdullah Hussein Salem
AU  - Yasser Nasr Eldin
AU  - Wael Ahmed Abdalla
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
T2  - Journal of Human Resource Management
JF  - Journal of Human Resource Management
JO  - Journal of Human Resource Management
SP  - 100
EP  - 111
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2331-0715
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jhrm.20251304.11
AB  - As value creation increasingly shifts toward networked digital ecosystems, leadership must evolve from managing internal organizational transformation to designing collaborative, ethical, and adaptive digital environments. This paper conceptualizes Digital Ecosystem Architecture (DEA) as a meta-competence within the Visionary Management dimension of the VFC Competence Framework. DEA is defined as the capacity to conceive, govern, and expand digital ecosystems, grounded in three interrelated pillars: Strategic Ecosystem Thinking, Orchestrative Governance, and Value-Based Digital Architecture. Through thematic synthesis and an illustrative case study of the MENA-region platform Careem, the paper introduces the Ecosystem Leadership Competency Model (ELCM) and outlines developmental pathways across four progressive stages, guided by a KSAH (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, and Habits) framework. Findings demonstrate that DEA enables leaders to engage in systemic foresight, promote inclusive governance, and design ethically sound digital infrastructures. The study contributes to digital leadership theory by providing an evidence-informed model for cultivating digitally competent leaders, with particular relevance to emerging markets and platform-fragmented economies.
VL  - 13
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download