A Systematic Review of Digital Leadership and Lean Six Sigma Approaches in Higher Education

Abstract

. This research aims to examine how digital leadership contributes to the performance of study programs in higher education thru the integration of Lean Six Sigma as an operational mechanism. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) utilizing the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Articles published between 2015 and 2024 were selected based on established inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 42 reputable articles for further analysis. The study results indicate that digital leadership plays a role in improving study program performance thru data-driven decision-making, process efficiency, and continuous improvement practices. Lean Six Sigma serves as a structured framework that operationalizes digital leadership in quality and performance improvement at the study program level. The contribution of this research lies in presenting an integrative conceptual perspective that connects digital leadership and Lean Six Sigma within the context of higher education management.