The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector

Ethem Topçuoğlu; Onur Oktaysoy; Yaşar Şahin

doi:10.30518/jav.1717814

The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector

Abstract

In today's business world, where digitalization has become a strategic necessity, the impact of leadership styles on innovation capacity is becoming increasingly important. In particular, in the aviation industry, a sector characterized by low error tolerance and high information intensity, digital leaders must not only possess the ability to implement technology but also the competence to steer organizational innovation processes and manage employees' stress levels. In this context, the primary objective of this study is to empirically investigate how digital leadership influences open innovation capability and to examine the potential mediating role of occupational stress experienced by employees in this relationship. The study sample, which employs quantitative research methods, consists of 407 participants working in the aviation sector in Türkiye. The data obtained through the survey method were analyzed using structural equation modeling with the Smart-PLS 4.1.1 program. The findings indicate that digital leadership has a direct positive effect on open innovation capability and that occupational stress plays a partial mediating role in this relationship. These findings indicate that digital transformation processes should focus not only on technology but also on human resource strategies. The study presents a unique conceptual framework within the triangle of digital leadership, open innovation, and occupational stress, highlighting the impact of leadership on innovative and psychological outcomes in high-risk sectors such as aviation.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

To document the scientific and ethical principles of the study, approval was obtained from the Giresun University Social Sciences Ethics Committee on May 28, 2025, with the reference number 06/336.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Business Administration, Air Transportation and Freight Services

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ethem Topçuoğlu
0000-0003-3563-0566
Türkiye

Onur Oktaysoy
0000-0002-8623-614X
Türkiye

Yaşar Şahin ^*
0000-0002-5205-3054
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

October 9, 2025

Publication Date

October 19, 2025

Submission Date

June 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1717814

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39UB28GY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Topçuoğlu, E., Oktaysoy, O., & Şahin, Y. (2025). The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector. Journal of Aviation, 9(3), 658-668. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1717814

AMA

1.Topçuoğlu E, Oktaysoy O, Şahin Y. The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector. JAV. 2025;9(3):658-668. doi:10.30518/jav.1717814

Chicago

Topçuoğlu, Ethem, Onur Oktaysoy, and Yaşar Şahin. 2025. “The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector”. Journal of Aviation 9 (3): 658-68. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1717814.

EndNote

Topçuoğlu E, Oktaysoy O, Şahin Y (October 1, 2025) The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector. Journal of Aviation 9 3 658–668.

IEEE

[1]E. Topçuoğlu, O. Oktaysoy, and Y. Şahin, “The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector”, JAV, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 658–668, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.30518/jav.1717814.

ISNAD

Topçuoğlu, Ethem - Oktaysoy, Onur - Şahin, Yaşar. “The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector”. Journal of Aviation 9/3 (October 1, 2025): 658-668. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1717814.

JAMA

1.Topçuoğlu E, Oktaysoy O, Şahin Y. The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector. JAV. 2025;9:658–668.

MLA

Topçuoğlu, Ethem, et al. “The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector”. Journal of Aviation, vol. 9, no. 3, Oct. 2025, pp. 658-6, doi:10.30518/jav.1717814.

Vancouver

1.Ethem Topçuoğlu, Onur Oktaysoy, Yaşar Şahin. The Mediating Role of Occupational Stress in the Impact of Digital Leadership on Open Innovation Capability in the Aviation Sector. JAV. 2025 Oct. 1;9(3):658-6. doi:10.30518/jav.1717814