THE ROLE OF THE PRINCIPAL'S DIGITAL LEADERSHIP IN DECISION MAKING

Abstract

This study aims to examine the digital leadership practices of madrasah principals in digital-based decision making and their implications for the effectiveness of management and learning quality at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Sains Salahuddin Wahid Jombang. The research employs a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. Data analysis was conducted interactively and continuously through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that the madrasah principal implements digital leadership through four main roles: innovator and agent of digital change, role model for educators and education staff, facilitator of digital collaboration, and technology-based performance supervisor. Digital decision-making strategies are carried out through data-based open discussions, multi-platform communication, and structured capacity building programs. The implementation of this digital leadership has a significant impact on improving the madrasah's operational efficiency, learning quality, organizational culture change towards digital literacy, as well as policy transparency and accountability.

Keywords: digital leadership, principal, digital-based decision making, digital transformation, Islamic educational leadership

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengkaji praktik kepemimpinan digital kepala madrasah dalam pengambilan keputusan berbasis digital serta implikasinya terhadap efektivitas pengelolaan dan mutu pembelajaran di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Sains Salahuddin Wahid Jombang. Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi partisipatif, dan analisis dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan secara interaktif dan berkesinambungan melalui tahap kondensasi data, penyajian data, serta penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kepala madrasah menjalankan kepemimpinan digital melalui empat peran utama: inovator dan agen perubahan digital, teladan bagi pendidik dan tenaga kependidikan, fasilitator kolaborasi digital, serta supervisor kinerja berbasis teknologi. Strategi pengambilan keputusan digital dilakukan melalui diskusi terbuka berbasis data, komunikasi multi-platform, dan program capacity building terstruktur. Implementasi kepemimpinan digital ini berdampak signifikan terhadap peningkatan efisiensi operasional madrasah, kualitas pembelajaran, perubahan budaya organisasi menuju literasi digital, serta transparansi dan akuntabilitas kebijakan.

Kata Kunci: digital leadership, kepala sekolah, pengambilan keputusan berbasis digital, transformasi digital, kepemimpinan pendidikan Islam.