Leadership for the Future Mobility Workforce: The Role of Inclusive and Adaptive Leadership in Skill Development and Digital Capability

Abstract. The rapid digitalization of the mobility sector has radically changed workforce needs and created the need for future mobility professionals with advanced digital skills and adaptability. Intelligent mobility systems, transportation platforms, and data-driven mobility services require not only technological infrastructure but also leadership that promotes continuous learning and employee adaptability. This study investigates how inclusive and adaptive leadership influences the skill development and digital competence of future mobility professionals. Using data from a survey of 200 employees and managers from public transportation companies, logistics and mobility services, intelligent transportation systems, mobility-related manufacturing, and transport operators, the proposed relationships are analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that inclusive leadership significantly promotes skill development, while both inclusive and adaptive leadership have significant direct effects on digital competence. Skill development, in turn, has a positive impact on digital competence, thus revealing the link between inclusive leadership and employee digital readiness. These findings demonstrate that human capital development by leaders is the most important mechanism through which organizations in technology-intensive mobility environments develop digital skills. From a sustainability perspective, the study supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through workforce training, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through improved employability, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through workforce digital skills for smart mobility ecosystems. Keywords: Inclusive Leadership, Adaptive Leadership, Skill Development, Digital Capability, Future Mobility Workforce