Sarcouncil Journal of Economics and Business Management

Abstract: This conceptual paper integrates digital transformational leadership (DTL), adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and high-performance work culture (HPWC) into a unified sociotechnical framework. Based on the ability, motivation, opportunity (AMO) theory and sociotechnical systems perspectives, it identifies AI adoption as the mediating mechanism through which DTL influences HPWC. AI can reshape employees’ abilities, motivation, and opportunities, according to the paper. This in turn could alter cultural norms and expectations of performance. Responsible AI governance moderates such effects by enhancing transparency, trust, and fairness. It bridges leadership and digitalization research, advancing theory and providing a comprehensive framework for empirical research. Practical implications are that organizations must develop resilient high-performance cultures in AI enabled workplaces, which require leaders to align technology adoption with human cantered values.