Call for Chapters: Reengineering Strategic Leadership for the Creative Economy in the ESG-Digital Nexus

Editors

hussain alagele, Al-Nahrain University, Iraq
nagham neama, Al-Nahrain University, Iraq

Call for Chapters

Proposals Submission Deadline: June 7, 2026
 Full Chapters Due: August 9, 2026
 Submission Date: August 9, 2026

Introduction

The global economy is currently navigating a dual transition of unprecedented scale: the rapid acceleration of digital transformation and the urgent shift toward sustainable development. At the center of this convergence lies the "Creative Economy," a sector defined by human ingenuity, cultural value, and knowledge-based assets. However, as organizations strive to integrate cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain within the rigorous frameworks of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, a critical gap has emerged in how we understand and execute strategic leadership. The ESG-Digital Nexus The "Nexus" described in this book represents the intricate interlocking of two powerful forces. Digital tools are no longer merely instruments for efficiency; they are the primary enablers of transparency and environmental accountability. Conversely, ESG criteria now serve as the ethical compass for digital innovation, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the cost of social equity or environmental integrity. Reengineering Strategic Leadership Traditional leadership models, often rooted in 20th-century industrial logic, are proving insufficient for the complexities of the creative economy. To thrive in this new landscape, leadership must be "reengineered." This involves: Agile Governance: Moving beyond static strategic planning toward dynamic, data-driven decision-making that anticipates digital disruption. Ethical Stewardship: Balancing the pursuit of profit in the creative sectors with a profound commitment to social impact and carbon neutrality. Human-Centric Innovation: Ensuring that as the creative economy becomes more automated, the "human element"—creativity, empathy, and critical thinking—remains the primary driver of value. Scope of the Book This volume brings together a diverse collection of research and case studies that explore how leaders can navigate this nexus. From the integration of AI in digital leadership strategies to the impact of strategic foresight on ESG performance in higher education and banking, the chapters herein provide a roadmap for academics, practitioners, and policymakers. By reexamining the role of the leader not just as a manager of resources, but as an architect of a sustainable, digitally-fluent future, this book aims to redefine what it means to lead in the age of the creative economy.

Objective

Synthesize the ESG-Digital Relationship: To move past the view of sustainability and technology as separate silos. The book aims to demonstrate how digital tools (AI, Big Data, IoT) act as the "engine" for ESG reporting and performance, while ESG acts as the "ethical filter" for digital adoption. Define "Reengineered" Leadership: To identify the specific competencies required for leaders in the creative economy. This includes moving from traditional top-down management to Digital Leadership—a style characterized by agility, technical fluency, and a stakeholder-centric mindset. Provide Sector-Specific Solutions: To offer empirical evidence and case studies from critical sectors—such as higher education, commercial banking, and the creative industries—illustrating how strategic reengineering manifests in diverse organizational cultures. Establish Ethical Frameworks for Innovation: To address the "innovation-ethics gap," ensuring that as organizations in the creative economy adopt AI and automation, they maintain high standards of social responsibility and human-centric value.

Target Audience

1. Academic Researchers and Scholars This book is a vital resource for those working in Strategic Management, Organizational Behavior, and Sustainable Development. Why they benefit: Researchers focusing on the "twin transition" (green and digital) will find new theoretical constructs and empirical data to support their work. Key Focus: The integration of AI in leadership and the evolving role of ESG metrics in academic institutional performance. 2. Corporate Executives and Strategic Leaders C-suite professionals (CEOs, CTOs, and Chief Sustainability Officers) tasked with steering organizations through digital disruption will find this book to be a strategic manual. Why they benefit: It provides a blueprint for reengineering leadership styles to balance profitability with social and environmental accountability. Key Focus: Navigating the "ESG-Digital Nexus" to gain a competitive advantage in the creative and service economies. 3. Higher Education Administrators and Policy Makers Given the book's focus on institutional leadership and the creative economy, it is highly relevant for university rectors, deans, and government officials in ministries of education or industry. Why they benefit: It offers insights into how higher education institutions can model the ESG-digital integration they teach, ensuring they remain relevant in a tech-driven global market. 4. Banking and Financial Professionals Specifically targeting those in Commercial and Investment Banking, the research provides a look at how digital transformation impacts ESG performance—a critical factor for modern risk assessment and credit scoring. Why they benefit: Understanding how strategic leadership affects the "bottom line" through the lens of digital ethics and sustainability.

Recommended Topics

1. Foundations of the ESG-Digital Nexus The Convergence of Green and Digital: Understanding the "Twin Transition" as a singular strategic imperative. Theoretical Frameworks: Evolution of the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities in the digital age. The Creative Economy Defined: Scope, significance, and the unique challenges of knowledge-based industries. 2. Reengineering Strategic Leadership Digital Leadership Models: Shifting from traditional command-and-control to agile, data-fluent governance. Ethical Stewardship: The role of the leader in ensuring "AI for Good" and responsible automation. Strategic Foresight: Using predictive analytics and scenario planning to navigate VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) environments. 3. Digital Transformation & Technological Integration Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency in creative sectors. Blockchain for Transparency: Utilizing distributed ledger technology for ESG reporting and supply chain integrity. Cybersecurity and Data Ethics: Protecting intellectual property and user privacy in a hyper-connected economy. 4. ESG Performance & Corporate Governance Environmental Impact: Leveraging digital twins and IoT to monitor and reduce carbon footprints. Social Responsibility: The impact of digital transformation on workforce diversity, equity, and remote work culture. Governance and Accountability: Reengineering board structures to oversee digital risk and ESG compliance. 5. Sector-Specific Empirical Studies Higher Education: Strategic leadership’s impact on ESG performance and digital curriculum integration. The Banking Sector: How digital maturity influences credit risk and sustainable financing in commercial banks. Creative Industries: Digital transformation in fashion, media, and design, and its role in sustainable economic growth. 6. Future Perspectives The Human-Centric Economy: Balancing automation with human creativity and empathy. Global Policy and Regulation: Navigating international standards (such as Scopus and IFRS) for digital and sustainability reporting. Sustainable Growth Pathways: Long-term strategies for building resilient organizations in a post-digital world.

Submission Procedure

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before June 7, 2026, a chapter proposal of 1,000 to 2,000 words clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors will be notified by June 21, 2026 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines.Full chapters of a minimum of 10,000 words (word count includes references and related readings) are expected to be submitted by August 9, 2026, and all interested authors must consult the guidelines for manuscript submissions at https://www.igi-global.com/publish/contributor-resources/before-you-write/ prior to submission. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-anonymized review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Note: There are no submission or acceptance fees for manuscripts submitted to this book publication, Reengineering Strategic Leadership for the Creative Economy in the ESG-Digital Nexus. All manuscripts are accepted based on a double-anonymized peer review editorial process.

All proposals should be submitted through the eEditorial Discovery® online submission manager.

Publisher

This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global Scientific Publishing, an international academic publisher of the "Information Science Reference", "Medical Information Science Reference", "Business Science Reference", and "Engineering Science Reference" imprints. IGI Global Scientific Publishing specializes in publishing reference books, scholarly journals, and electronic databases featuring academic research on a variety of innovative topic areas including, but not limited to, education, social science, medicine and healthcare, business and management, information science and technology, engineering, public administration, library and information science, media and communication studies, and environmental science. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit https://www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2027.

Indexing Information for Prospective Authors

IGI Global Scientific Publishing meets the criteria for inclusion in major indexing services such as Scopus; however, it is important to note that all indexing decisions are made independently by these services. IGI Global Scientific Publishing books are selectively indexed by the indexing organization after publication. Indexing cannot be guaranteed for any book prior to publication, and the indexing organization has complete control over the final selection and timeline.

Important Dates

June 7, 2026: Proposal Submission Deadline
June 21, 2026: Notification of Acceptance
August 9, 2026: Full Chapter Submission
September 13, 2026: Review Results Returned
October 11, 2026: Final Acceptance Notification
October 18, 2026: Final Chapter Submission

Inquiries

hussain alagele
Al-Nahrain University
hussain.kadhem.25@nahrainuniv.edu.iq

nagham neama
Al-Nahrain University
nagham_alnama@nahrainuniv.edu.iq
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