Abstract

Based on resource conservation theory and social cognitive theory, this study investigates how digital leadership influences job burnout in the context of digital transformation in traditional enterprises. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 245 employees from five traditional enterprises in central and western China. The results show that digital leadership has a significant positive effect on job burnout. Technology anxiety fully mediates this relationship, acting as a core psychological mechanism. Moreover, digital self-efficacy negatively moderates the effect of digital leadership on technology anxiety; specifically, the positive effect of digital leadership on technology anxiety is stronger among employees with lower digital self-efficacy, which in turn intensifies job burnout through technology anxiety. This study provides empirical evidence on the pathways through which digital leadership affects employee mental health in digital work environments and offers practical insights for organizations to alleviate burnout by enhancing employees' digital competencies and optimizing leadership practices.

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